THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHOOSES a LEADER Introduction
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHOOSES A LEADER Introduction The new Conservative Party of Canada that her father had built. She has often Focus has deep roots in this country. This been portrayed as a spoiled little rich This News in Re- party grew out of the first federal party girl who inherited her millions and her view story exam- ines the history of that governed our country; at Confed- powerful position from her father. the Conservative eration, in 1867, the Conservatives were Although she had no previous political Party of Canada in power and dominated Canadian experience, Stronach did play the role and the recent race politics for the next three decades, of facilitator during the merging of the to elect its first losing popularity during the 1920s and Alliance and the PC parties. leader. The candi- 1930s. In the 1940s the Conservative Tony Clement came to the leadership dacies of Belinda Stronach, Tony Party incorporated elements of the old race with plenty of political experience, Clement, and Progressive Party and adopted the new most recently his eight-year stint in the Stephen Harper are label Progressive Conservative Party Ontario PC Party as a cabinet minister, featured. (PC Party). However, the party contin- with four portfolios, from 1995 to 2003. ued to struggle electorally until 1983, Clement was described by the media as when leader Brian Mulroney was “geeky” and lacking confidence. He YV Sections marked with this elected prime minister. The PCs re- countered these portrayals with prom- symbol indicate mained in power until the Liberals won ises of being the only candidate with content suitable for a sweeping majority in 1993. The PCs tested political experience and appeal to younger viewers. were devastated and won only two seats. more than just Western Canada. During this time the Reform Party Stephen Harper stepped down from was formed, and by the late 1990s the being the leader of the Alliance Party to Reform Party tried to convince the PC take part in the race. He was considered Party to join a United Alternative of the the likely winner from the start of the right. The PCs were not interested in a race. Harper was bilingual, had the merger. The Reform Party then changed most political experience of all three its name to the Canadian Alliance. In candidates, and had been one of the the 2000 federal election the PCs and driving forces in creating the new the Canadian Alliance competed for Conservative Party of Canada. votes, and the Liberal Party won yet As the three candidates hit the cam- another majority. Serious talks began paign trail it became obvious that they between the Alliance and the PCs in only differed on a few political issues. September 2003, and they agreed to Belinda Stronach appeared to be the merge in December of 2003. They most moderate of the three because of named their new party the Conservative her support for same-sex marriage and Party of Canada. A leadership race her pro-choice stance on abortion. The began in January 2004. candidates agreed on many campaign Belinda Stronach, Tony Clement, and issues, including increasing support for Stephen Harper soon declared their the military, lowering taxes, cancelling candidacies. Each aimed to not only be the gun registry, repealing the decrimi- leader of the new party, but also the nalization of marijuana, and forging next prime minister of Canada during closer ties with the United States by the next federal election. Belinda developing a North American security Stronach had served as CEO of Magna perimeter. Because their political International, an auto parts company beliefs were so similar, the race was CBC News in Review • April 2004 • Page 19 more focused on experience, reputation, angry rat. They are going to attack us Quote and campaigning skill. like never before” (National Post, “The truth is that The leadership campaign lasted 59 March 21, 2004). the new party seems neither days. Harper dominated Western He delivered high praise to Stronach progressive nor Canada, the heartland of the old Reform and Clement, and indicated he looked conservative in the and Alliance parties. Stronach was forward to working with them as impor- Canadian tradi- ahead in Quebec and the Maritimes, tant members of the party. His speech tion.” — Senator two areas where the PCs either had ended with an attempt to reach out to all Lowell Murray, strength or were once dominant. De- four branches of his party: the Red who will continue to sit as a Progres- spite support for Stronach from impor- Tories, the economic conservatives, the sive Conservative in tant PC leaders such as former prime social conservatives, and the democratic the Canadian minister Brian Mulroney and former reformers. With the political right Senate, Toronto Ontario premier Mike Harris, Harper united in name, it is up to Harper to Star, February 26, pulled ahead early in the voting and foster a cohesive and effective party. 2004 never fell behind. The final breakdown Since the next federal election will most was: Harper, 55.5 per cent; Stronach, 35 likely be held in spring or fall 2004, the Did you know . per cent; and Clement 9.5 per cent. Conservative Party of Canada has mere Although there Once the votes had been counted months to put together a campaign to were 250 000 Harper made his victory speech and convince Canadians they have a solid possible voters in warned his party: “The tired, old, alternative to the Liberal Party of the Conservative corrupt Liberal Party is cornered like an Canada. Party, only 92 500, or 37%, actually cast ballots for the Questions new leader? Why 1. Briefly retrace the history of the Conservative Party of Canada since 1867. do you think so many members did not bother to actually vote in this first leadership campaign of a new political party? Definition 2. Why do you think the candidates share the same opinions on so many Red Tories refers to political issues? members of the Conservative Party who are more 3. Of the three candidates whom would you have voted for as leader? Why? moderate on social issues. They were once a significant part of the former PC Party. 4. Develop a list of three suggestions you would give the Conservative Party in order to help them to win the upcoming federal election. CBC News in Review • April 2004 • Page 20 THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHOOSES A LEADER Video Review 1. What two parties recently merged in Canada? Respond to the questions as you view the video. 2. Complete this chart. You may need to finalize it after the video ends. Candidate Strengths Weaknesses My Impressions Stephen Harper Tony Clement Belinda Stronach 3. What three issues did the candidates agree on? 4. What Liberal problem convinced many Conservatives that they might be electing not just a leader, but a future prime minister? 5. In your view, which candidate is the best public speaker? 6. Do you think that the new Conservative Party can defeat the Liberals in an election later this year? Explain in your notebook. CBC News in Review • April 2004 • Page 21 THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHOOSES A LEADER Short History of the Conservative Party 1867 Called the Liberal-Conservative However, his government soon disinte- The birth of the Party at the time of Confederation, it is grates under his erratic leadership and new Conservative Party in 2003 is but led by John A. Macdonald and domi- scandals. Defeated in 1963, Diefen- one event in a long nates Canadian politics for the first baker is later forced out as leader in a series of name three decades after Confederation. By bitterly divisive leadership battle in changes and coali- the 1870s, the party is known simply as 1967. tions for the con- the Conservative Party and is a strong servative move- 1963-1983 Aside from Progressive supporter of Canada’s British connec- ment in Canada. Conservative Joe Clark briefly being The twists and tion. After Macdonald’s death, a series prime minister for several months in turns of this party’s of leaders fails to keep the party popu- 1979, there are two more decades of history make for an lar. Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberals Liberal rule in Canada after interesting and govern from 1896 to 1911. complex under- Diefenbaker. This is in part due to the standing of Cana- 1917 Eager to unite Canadians in the growth of the independence movement dian politics. face of the terrible divisions of the First in Quebec and the inability of conserva- World War, Conservative PM Sir tive voters to organize into one party. Robert Borden (first elected in 1911) Further Research 1983 Brian Mulroney wins the PC invites Liberals to join his government leadership race in a divisive campaign To learn more and forms a Unionist government that about two of the following Joe Clark’s “loss of party major issues con- easily wins the famous “Khaki” election confidence.” Mulroney quickly moves fronting former PM of 1917. Borden retires in 1920. His to unite Conservatives across the coun- Brian Mulroney, go successor Arthur Meighen fails to keep try and rebuilds the party in Quebec by to the CBC Digital the Unionists together, and the party attracting soft nationalists to his side. Archives site at finds electoral success difficult. www.cbc.ca/ 1984 Mulroney leads the PCs to a archives for an 1930s Prime Minister R.B. Bennett audio-visual pres- smashing majority victory (211 seats) forms a Conservative government, but and, as prime minister, tries to persuade entation of the persistence of the Great Depression Canada-U.S. Free Quebec to sign the Canadian Constitu- Trade Agreement leads to its defeat in 1935.