Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, faced a surprising setback in the recent election, losing his seat in Parliament. Despite this loss, he has not stepped down as party leader. In fact, several prominent Conservatives have come forward to support him.
Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer praised Poilievre’s campaign, calling it “incredible.” He highlighted that the Conservatives achieved their highest vote percentage in modern history and secured more votes than ever before. Scheer believes that Poilievre’s leadership has energized the party and brought in new supporters. He expressed confidence that Poilievre can lead the party to success in the future.
The election results showed a rise in support for both the Liberals and Conservatives, primarily at the expense of the New Democratic Party (NDP), which saw a significant decline. The two major parties captured over 40 percent of the vote each and won the majority of seats in Parliament. The NDP, led by Jagmeet Singh, suffered greatly, with Singh also losing his own seat.
The BBC reported that if the election had occurred in a different context, the Conservatives might have viewed their performance as a success. They received a higher percentage of votes than in the 2011 election when they won a majority. Currently, the Conservatives hold 144 seats, an increase from 120 before the election.
Shannon Stubbs, another Conservative leader who won her seat, expressed strong support for Poilievre. She emphasized the historic gains made under his leadership, particularly in attracting diverse voters and working-class Canadians. Stubbs praised Poilievre for inspiring unity and hope within the party.
Despite the backing from party members, there are concerns about Poilievre’s future as leader without a seat in Parliament. Historical precedents exist, such as Brian Mulroney, who became leader without a seat in 1983. However, this situation raises questions about whether another MP would be willing to give up their seat for Poilievre.
Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont criticized Poilievre for his handling of key issues, suggesting that his response to Donald Trump’s tariffs and the decline of the NDP was inadequate. He noted that voters may have felt Poilievre took his riding for granted, leading to his defeat.
Bruce Fanjoy, the Liberal who defeated Poilievre, echoed this sentiment, stating that Poilievre’s lack of attention to local concerns opened the door for change.
Some political analysts believe it would be a mistake for the Conservatives to change leadership while the Liberals are struggling to form a government. Public relations expert Kate Harrison suggested that Poilievre should remain in his position, as he has been instrumental in building a new coalition of Conservative voters.
As the Conservative Party reflects on the election results, the future of Poilievre’s leadership remains uncertain, but he has garnered significant support from party members who believe in his vision for the party.