Expecting a politician to give you 100% of what you demand, and then turning against them when you get 80% or 90% instead, shows an immense lack of strategic understanding.
The CPC has changed significantly in the past few years.
The Party was at one point heading towards acquiescing to the Liberal narrative on lockdowns, mandates, firearms, budget deficits, and the size and role of government.
But since Pierre Poilievre became CPC Leader – following a campaign in which he sold more memberships, raised more money, and won more votes than any party leadership candidate in Canadian history – the CPC has gone in a different direction.
Under Poilievre, the CPC has advocated for limited government, fiscal responsibility, defunding the CBC, individual freedom, respect for law-abiding gun owners, an end to draconian lockdowns/mandates, more security at our borders, a stronger military, and has resisted the disturbing expansion of state-assisted suicide.
On issue after issue, the CPC now takes a strong stance that is in line with conservative principles.
In short, those who felt the CPC was previously abandoning their core principles have gotten nearly everything they wanted.
The CPC has also risen in the polls since Poilievre became the leader of the party, and the Liberals appear increasingly desperate and unhinged in their attacks as they see the looming prospect of defeat.
The Liberals are now facing the biggest scandal of their tenure in government, with nearly each day bringing new reports of Communist China’s interference in our elections – interference which Trudeau seems terrified of discussing or investigating.
But amid all of this, Justin Trudeau still has one big hope to remain in power:
Pierre Poilievre’s right-wing critics
If you look on Twitter, you will see Pierre Poilievre being relentlessly attacked for supporting Ukraine, and for distancing the CPC from a German politician who belongs to a very right-wing party in that country.
Many of those criticizing Poilievre for those two stances are now claiming that Poilievre and Trudeau are both the same.
They are also claiming they’ll vote PPC, or not vote at all.
And this is exactly what Justin Trudeau and his strategists are counting on.
As noted in recent polls, support for Ukraine is an overwhelmingly popular opinion in Canada:
"Which country do you support and would like to see ultimately prevail in the war?"
Ukraine: 80%
Russia: 3%Neither: 17%
Leger / February 19, 2023 / n=1353 / Online
— Polling Canada (@CanadianPolling) February 25, 2023
Support for Ukraine is also highest in the Prairies, where many Canadians of Ukrainian descent reside. The CPC is popular in many of those areas.
Furthermore, opposing Russia’s expansionist goals has long been a bedrock Conservative position.
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper was very critical of Putin, and very supportive of Ukraine.
If Poilievre didn’t support Ukraine, and if he bought into the irrational & conspiratorial Kremlin-propaganda line, not only would he push the CPC to the far extremes of public opinion, but he would be completely out of step with the history of the party, the history of Canadian Conservatism more broadly, and would be out of step with much of his base.
In fact, the real surprise here is that anyone is surprised to see Poilievre support Ukraine.
Poilievre has long taken an anti-authoritarian stance, opposing governments that act in oppressive ways and speaking out against those who violate rights and freedoms.
Poilievre is an out-spoken anti-Communist, so why would people be surprised to see him oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an invasion being conducted by a ruthless authoritarian state led by a former Communist KGB agent dictator?
Demanding 100% of what you want will lead to you getting nothing
The issue here is that a small portion of the right is demanding that Pierre Poilievre take up political positions that would lead him and the CPC to certain defeat.
It is a stunningly unreasonable position, because it serves to increase the chances that Justin Trudeau will get back into power.
By pushing for 100% of what they want, rather than being satisfied with 90% or 80%, Poilievre’s critics on the right increase the odds of ending up with Trudeau staying in power, and thus getting 0% of what they want.
To win an election in Canada a party leader must walk the line between putting together a broad national coalition, while remaining true to their core principles.
Supporting Ukraine, and criticizing foreign political parties that are out of step with Canadian public opinion is well in keeping with Conservative principles and the broader goal of winning the upcoming election.
Pierre Poilievre continues to give every indication that he is an effective communicator and an effective leader. Abandoning him and the CPC because he won’t take a few extreme positions would be stunningly counterproductive at a time when Canadians need to come together to ensure Justin Trudeau is defeated.
Spencer Fernando
