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WHITHER GOETH THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA? by Wayne Johnson

 The Peoples Party of Canada is troublesome, and repugnant; it stands for everything I find appalling and un-Canadian. While many may take post election liberties and poke fun at this “Purple Wave” that was supposed to happen. Before you make fun of them, start drilling deep on this site by province, by riding. Naturally the PPC had a strong showing in the Prairies, one guy polled 20%, with some others in double digits. Indeed, reasonably strong in BC. Of concern is their strength in Ontario particularly rural ridings, however some strength in the smaller urban centres. 

Thank God for the sane people of Quebec and the Maritimes, the PPC was not so popular with these folks. Though Maxine Bernier polled 20% in the Beauce, he’s a local boy so there is no doubt some loyalty on a pers level. And his father was the MP in the very same riding. 

Nationally, the PPC polled higher by and large than the Greens at the riding level other than where sane Canadians live. The Conservatives had better start checking their rear-view mirror. Of greater concern as someone who truly cherishes the values to which the values most Canadians adhere. I’m concerned and troubled that we have that many-mean spirited people in this country.

Sooner or later, at this rate, the excrement will hit the fan, and the PPC will start winning a seat or two and solidly contesting certain ridings. The CPC will then be faced with a choice as it bleeds support to the extreme right and the Purple People Eater Party, after another disappointing election outcome. Never forget, but for a handful of votes, something like 18, Maxine Bernier would have been leader of the CPC. 

Will the Conservatives choose the high road and return to their traditional, somewhat Progressive, roots? They would lose some to malcontents to the PPC, but gain some of the more hawkish Liberals. Or do they go down into the gutter with the PPC, as it wouldn’t be the rights firsts unholy alliance.

O’Toole Demise?

Set the egg timer on Erin O’Toole, the Night of the Long Knives is coming for the soon to be MP for the riding of Durham. Now batting…. Hmmm I wonder Pee Wee Herman, aka Pierre Poillievre will take a run? If someone of his type triumphs, the more progressive wing of the party is done as dinner. Quite a conundrum. Do the right thing or get into the gutter? 

By in large good and decent Canadians reject the PPC and what its members stand for. Lay down with dogs my Tory friends get up with fleas. Life within political parties with such extreme views, like those of the PPC or the GOP in the USA for that matter, are like the life within the Borg1, critical thinking is impossible and to resist is futile. Be assured you will be assimilated. In the end a political cult. Hmmm gutter, or the right thing, pandering to the worst among us or, the high road and seek the best interest of Canada. 

Let history judge what was once a Party that put Canada and Canadians first, over party politics. I certainly hope the Cons move more towards the centre. In any case I think the Federal political landscape will very much change, for the better.

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1 For non-Star Trek fans (if there are any) the Borg were the vicious “one mind” alien enemy that often showed up to make life miserable for the heroic heroes of the show. It was a nasty bit of business that simply absorbed its enemies.

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