Patrick Brown’s comment that he wouldn’t run for the Conservatives if Poilievre was the leader was quite frankly dumb.
From a strategic viewpoint he gains nothing,first round but loses a lot. He comes across as a bit of a sore loser and he hasn’t even lost yet. Maybe he forgot that it is a ranked ballot.
His comment reflects a deeper issue within the Conservative Party, characterized by the nastiness of this leadership campaign. Gone are the days when you could disagree on policy (no party member ever agrees with every position a party takes) but you could still unite and go forward together. Just look at the PC’s and Canadian Alliance.
Back then, those that disagreed with your position were opponents and while you disagreed, you still respected them. That has changed. In the present race you are no longer an opponent, you are the enemy. That is a very big difference.
I have been around a long time- Diefenbaker and Dalton Camp, Mulroney and Clark, Reform and PC, Canadian Alliance and PC, the United Alternative etc.
When you cannot respect your opponent because they have different views, and you present a take no prisoners position your party is in trouble.
Time for the media to ask every leadership candidate if they could run and work with everyone of their leadership opponents. Let’s clear the air and get this into the open- then the membership can make up their own mind as to who is best suited to be leader.
