When the Conservative Party started drifting to the Left, the political geniuses in the Prime Minister's Office said it was all part of a crafty strategy designed to ensure a majority government.
The National Citizens Coalition even backed this reasoning. In its latest newsletter, Freedom Watch, the NCC defends the March budget --- which to many observers was more Liberal than Conservative -- this way:
"This is a budget designed to appeal to voters in suburban Canada, gaining the Tories favour in areas like the vote rich GTA and rural Quebec."
The newsletter also notes, "All in all, this was a `minority' budget, and while it focused far too heavily on spending, we can only hope that it will firm up enough support to form a majority government."
Well it seems it hasn't worked.
In fact, the latest SES poll shows the Tories and the Liberals are in a dead heat.
What makes this all the more astounding is that the Liberals have an extremely weak leader.
What's going on here?
Well maybe the voters are picking up on something that has eluded both the NCC and the PMO.
Simply put, Canadians want their leaders to stand for something; to have some sort of values or vision.
The only thing the Tories seem to stand for is winning.
So maybe the Conservatives should try another strategy. Maybe they should actually try sticking by their principles.
About Me
- Gerry Nicholls
- Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant and writer who has been called a “political warrior” a “brilliant strategist” and one of the “canniest political observers in Canada.” He has worked as a consultant in both the United States and Canada and was formerly a senior officer in the National Citizens Coalition. A regular columnist with the Ottawa Hill Times, his work has also appeared in the Globe and Mail, the National Post and in the Sun Media chain; and he has appeared on countless TV and radio public affairs programs. He is the author of the book, Loyal to the Core, Harper, Me and the NCC.
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Reviews for Loyal to the Core
“Loyal to the Core is a daring and provocative work. It deserves to be read by conservative activists and politicos.” – Western Standard
“This is a very important book.” -- Michael Coren, TV host
“A fascinating read” --- Seamus O'Regan, Canada AM
“I really enjoyed Loyal to the Core. It’s a great book”, - Charles Adler, radio host.
"Loyal to the Core should be required reading for anyone considering or starting a career at a conservative think tank or in electoral politics in general …Consider Loyal to the Core a cautionary tale that’s also a funny, easy read – with a few highly “stealable” ideas for media campaigns thrown in for good measure.”- Kathy Shaidle, author Tyranny of Nice
“Every Canadian remotely interested in politics and the state of the country should have a read of Loyal to the Core. – blogger Wendy Sullivan
"It’s rare to find a politico, however, who is equally passionate about policy and strategy, but columnist, pundit, author and Western Standard blogger Gerry Nicholls is such a person." Matthew Johnson, owner Western Standard
"If you are a conservative who wonders how conservatives can communicate their message in a hostile media climate, Loyal to the Core is a must read." -- At Home in Hespeler
"You HAVE TO read this book!" -- Connie Fournier Free Dominion
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- Media Update
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- Facebook Fracas
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- Harper flip-flopping on gag laws
- Conservatism in Canada
- Honesty in Government
- Light bulbs and Tories
- Me in the Interim
- Me in the Vancouver Sun
- Chip in for Liberty
- Quick Hits
- Me on TV
- Me in the Citizen
- Me on the Radio
- A man more sinned against than sinning
- I want my kid to get exercise but this ...
- Me in the Globe
- Trust Me I know
- Say no to Pigou
- Bye Bye Blair
- Health Monopoly Challenged
- Sinking Tories
- Bubbles on Halifax
- NCC Loves Buzz?
- I didn't say it
- What's Right
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3 comments:
Like you, I think people expected the Harper government to do things differently bothe fiscally, legislatively and socially. I think the last budget was the straw that broke the camel's...the people's hope for that.
The Tories falling numbers are largely because of the detainee issue in Afghanistan. If the Tories pulled out of Afghanistan I suspect they would be in majority territory. If anything they are too right wing on foreign and environment policy. Maybe not on economic policy, but that is one of the few areas Canadians tend to lean to the right, while most other areas they lean to the left.
I have volunteered for the Conservatives and when they were elected, I was happy -- finally we would have a responsible government.
Today, I am unhappy, a bad case of buyer's remorse, the Conservatives are a little like a con-artist used car salesman.
What they promised, they have in power mostly ignored.
Take the issue of the firearm registry, for years in opposition, Garry Breitkreuz was the key person on the file, digging out all the problems.
That was then, now, in power, Harper and his circle have paid lip-service to the issue.
Breitkreuz is as far away from the gun file as a hawk is to the moon.
On the Environment file, the Conservatives have not bothered to share with Canadians -- they have bowed to the left-wing radicals.
If an election were held today, I would probably go fishing.
Harper is the last person I thought would be such a flip-flopper on his long-held principles.
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