Some of you will remember when back in February of 1976, the media dubbed Joe Clark, the newly elected leader of the Conservative party as “Joe Who?”
To his credit, Joe would go on to become Prime Minister and one of the most recognizable names in Canadian politics.
One could say the same today for most of the Conservative “A-Team.” In politics it is a hard fact of life, but you have an A, B and C team. For the opposition parties the A-team are their front benchers and potential cabinet ministers. They should be the face of the party and they are key when it comes to attracting new or swing voters as well as solidifying the party’s base.
Today we are in the middle of a horrible pandemic. Individuals and families are really struggling to make ends meet, pay bills, and keep a roof over their head. Food banks are seeing record numbers using their services and thousands of businesses are barely surviving. People are looking towards the government for help.
Who is the face of the Conservative Party at this time? Who can Canadians look towards to offer them hope? If we look at recent polling numbers, obviously it is still Trudeau. In spite of massive screw-ups, he is still the one that voters see as the most sympathetic to their needs.
Here is a simple exercise for my Conservatives friends on the Hill. Step outside of your bubble and ask nonpolitical friends and neighbours which persons fill the following shadow cabinet roles, all of which have a strong role to play during this pandemic:
- Deputy Leader
- Health critic
- Finance critic
- Seniors critic
- Ethics critic
- Foreign Affairs
- Indigenous Relations
- Mental Health and Wellness
- National Revenue
My guess is that your neighbours might get one or two names correct. I follow politics quite closely and I had to look most of them up. Poilievre at Finance would be the main one and quite possibly the only one most recognize.
There are so many different angles that this government can be attacked on other than finances, taxes, pandemic aid programs etc. Many different groups are looking for someone to offer them some hope and to stand up for them.
I have known Pierre for a long time, he knows his files and he is top notch at what he does, but do the Conservatives really want the Finance critic to be the face of the party during a pandemic? There are some very marketable and successful MPs in that above list, why aren’t we hearing more from them?
