This is a big chance to sell Canadians on the virtues of conservatism and a return to normal.
That's not how electoral politics works. Parties don't succeed by trying to convert the public to the party's views. That never works. That's what finge parties try to do, and that's why fringe parties never amount to anything.
Parties succeed by convincing the dominant share of voters that their policies will serve those voter's existing views/opinions/interests better than the competition will.
This is why real parties have leadership elections and policy conventions: So the electorate can choose the party's agenda, meaning the agenda keeps up with the electorate (rather than trying to bend the electorate to the party's agenda which is how you end up with zero seats).
That's the selling on virtues I was referring to. I'm not suggesting we change people's priorities or values, but that conservatism is likely (at least at this moment) a better match for the values of many Canadians who don't view themselves as "conservative".
We have different opinions on the utility of small parties. Insulting PPC, or referring to them as fringe has no effect on me. I like that they're a threat to CPC.
If CPC chooses to continue to not serve my "views/opinions/interests", I have a place to park my vote to send the message home.
Although after today I'm very hopeful they'll get back on track.
That's not how electoral politics works. Parties don't succeed by trying to convert the public to the party's views. That never works. That's what finge parties try to do, and that's why fringe parties never amount to anything.
Parties succeed by convincing the dominant share of voters that their policies will serve those voter's existing views/opinions/interests better than the competition will.
This is why real parties have leadership elections and policy conventions: So the electorate can choose the party's agenda, meaning the agenda keeps up with the electorate (rather than trying to bend the electorate to the party's agenda which is how you end up with zero seats).
That's the selling on virtues I was referring to. I'm not suggesting we change people's priorities or values, but that conservatism is likely (at least at this moment) a better match for the values of many Canadians who don't view themselves as "conservative".
We have different opinions on the utility of small parties. Insulting PPC, or referring to them as fringe has no effect on me. I like that they're a threat to CPC.
If CPC chooses to continue to not serve my "views/opinions/interests", I have a place to park my vote to send the message home.
Although after today I'm very hopeful they'll get back on track.