The combative tone of Pierre Poilievre’s last months was quickly abandoned as soon as his victory at the head of the Conservative Party was announced. As soon as he was elected, the new leader reached out to his rivals and their supporters. A call for unity that many said was necessary, following an acrimonious race. But the historic support to which Mr. Poilievre was entitled also made say to a majority of conservatives that this debate of unity is now dead and that the disaffected have no other choice but to return to the row.
The triumph left no doubt: Pierre Poilievre was declared the winner in the first round of voting on Saturday, with 68% of the points distributed. He received 70.7% of the popular vote. This is more than Stephen Harper, who obtained 69% of the vote and 56% of the points in 2004. The party elects its leaders by a point system, distributed in proportion to the votes in each constituency.
Pierre Poilievre and his wife jumped for joy as soon as his victory was announced. The posters in his name were brandished, the cries of joy – and some “Freedom” – resounded.
From the first minutes of his speech, the new 43-year-old chef greeted his rivals in the race. Including Jean Charest, whom he and his team had been harshly criticizing for months. “To the supporters of the other five candidates, I open my arms wide to you. Today, we are one party, serving one country. »
Although this desire for unity seems to be unanimous among the Conservatives, many believe that it is now self-evident.
“With this kind of result, it means our party is united,” said one of the MPs most involved with Mr. Poilievre, former leader Andrew Scheer. “An overwhelming majority of our members supported Pierre’s speech. No need, in his opinion, to adapt this message for certain fringes of the party – Progressive Conservative, for example – who would not have voted for him.
Almost all of the conservatives who crossed paths on Saturday shared his opinion. Poilievre won the most votes in 330 of 338 ridings, including 72 of 78 in Quebec. Jean Charest, who collected only 16% of the points and 11.6% of the absolute votes, was therefore not the most popular even in six of the seven ridings of the Quebec MPs who supported him.
Mr. Poilievre’s press secretary, Anthony Koch, wrote on Twitter: “Pierre with 60.9% of the vote in Quebec. Party divided, my ass. »
Alberta MP Michelle Rempel Garner called on the Conservatives to be self-sacrificing, on CBC, and that “the official opposition be professional, mature and united”.
Quebecers wonder, a senator leaves
Gérard Deltell, who supported Mr. Charest, congratulated his new leader. But he believes that unity must remain on the menu. “It’s obvious that the new leader, whoever he is, always has a primary duty to bring people together. And uniting the party means taking into account those who were elected with the same jersey as all of us. We are ten deputies in Quebec to have been elected. »
Behind the scenes, comments from Mr. Scheer and Mr. Koch raised eyebrows. Because some are already wondering about their place in the Conservative Party.
MP Joël Godin threatened to quit caucus. His colleague Alain Rayes accused Mr Poilievre of fueling anger and hatred. Neither wanted to comment on the outcome of the vote, but both would give themselves time to see the new leader’s first months go by according to our information.
Senator Jean-Guy Dagenais, on the other hand, cut off his membership card on Sunday morning as he had warned him. “The values that were conveyed by Mr. Poilievre are not my values. I don’t want to be a member of a party that will become populist,” he lamented to Le Devoir, reporting that other retired senators and activists are also leaving the party. Senator Larry Smith, who supported Mr. Charest, joined Senator Dagenais in the ranks of independent senators this summer.
Jean Charest bids farewell
The former Premier of Quebec congratulated Mr. Poilievre and in turn launched a call for unity, in a video on the Web on Sunday. “I also want to tell you my commitment to the party. I will remain an active activist, ”he assured. “The time has now come to get together,” said Mr. Charest, who will return to work in the private sector “to the delight of [sa] family “.
His campaign manager, Mike Coates, had the same message on the website of the National Post. “Jean will not be a candidate in the next federal election, but he and his campaign team will remain loyal Conservatives. And there will be no more talks […] on the formation of a new party. »
Sen. Leo Housakos, co-director of the Poilievre campaign, has been conciliatory as its leader. He spoke with the majority of Quebec elected officials before the end of the race, when the outcome of the vote was anticipated. “For us, starting tonight, there is no longer a Charest team and a Poilievre team. There are only conservatives. »
Quebec Conservatives intend to monitor who, Leo Housakos or Andrew Scheer, is telling the truth.
Work from day one
Already, Pierre Poilievre did not resume his most controversial positions on Saturday evening. No mention of conspiracy theories about the World Economic Forum, firing the Governor of the Bank of Canada or the convoy of truckers. Instead, he resumed his economic rhetoric, accusing Justin Trudeau’s government of spending too much and failing to tackle the rising cost of living.
The new leader will have to quickly appoint his team of political advisers and spokespersons in the Commons. He invited his caucus to a first meeting on Monday.
The House will resume sitting on September 20, a day later than scheduled due to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. But as of Thursday, Mr. Poilievre will enter Parliament as leader of the official opposition, when elected officials will be invited to pay tribute to the Queen.