MPs from the Conservative Party of Canada associated with the camps of Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest responded Wednesday to former Progressive Conservative leader Brian Mulroney who said the day before that he no longer recognized himself in the current political formation.
On the sidelines of a speech at Laval University in Quebec, Mr. Mulroney, who led the country from 1984 to 1993, said that he “not really” recognized himself in the party, according to comments reported by the Quebec newspaper. The former prime minister also reportedly said that his “friend” Jean Charest has “very good candidates”.
MP Pierre Paul-Hus said when he entered caucus that Mr. Mulroney led the Progressive Conservative Party. “It was another party, maybe another philosophy,” he offered.
Mr. Paul-Hus, the only Quebec MP to support Pierre Poilievre, who is often described as the leader in the party’s leadership race, argued that “a lot of young […] worship” his candidate. As proof, he cites the “sales records” of membership cards in the country, including in Quebec.
In the Charest camp, MP Gérard Deltell felt that if his candidate wins, Mr. Mulroney “will be very comfortable”.
On this subject, Mr. Deltell argued that “the path to victory still exists and always exists” since despite the spectacular sales of cards claimed by his main opponent, the point system requires having support in all the constituencies of the country. .
Jean Charest was a cabinet minister in Brian Mulroney’s government and later became party leader.
Mr. Deltell, however, denied wanting a return to the Mulroney era. “Each leader prints his approach, as Mr. Mulroney did […], as Mr. Harper did then with completely different styles, he said. And that is normal, it is the evolution of a political party. »
The former premier’s comments, however, make “a little sad” New Brunswick Southwest MP and longtime activist John Williamson, who is backing Pierre Poilievre in the race.
“I hope Mr. Mulroney […] will reconsider [sa position] because to beat the liberals we need all the members to be with us,” he said.
The race for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada is in full swing. According to party officials, more than 600,000 voters could be eligible to choose the next leader, more than double the number of members who were eligible to vote in the previous race. The leadership election is scheduled for September 10.
In recent weeks, the virulence of the debates has reinforced the fear of fractures within the Canadian right by many activists. Each candidate claimed to be the one who can unify the party.