Jean Charest’s team refuses to clarify whether the former Quebec premier will remain a member of the Conservative Party of Canada if he loses the leadership race, amid growing rumors of a center-right coalition audible.
“Mr. Charest has been a member of the Conservative Party for a long time. He is fully invested in the current leadership race which he intends to win on September 10, “limited himself to answering his press secretary, Laurence Tôth, on Wednesday, despite repeated requests from The Canadian Press aimed at clarifying his position. he will remain a conservative no matter what. Mr. Charest also declined a request for an interview on the future of the Conservative movement.
In a book that has just been published, commentator Tasha Kheiriddin, who is co-president of Mr. Charest’s campaign, evokes the possibility of the creation of a “liberal-conservative” party if the plan to unite the political party fails. In a recent interview with Radio-Canada, however, she insisted on not promoting this idea.
Conservative strategists consulted by The Canadian Press believe that these messages sent by Camp Charest are confusing members.
Mr. Charest would do well to say that he will stay in the formation, “already he is being criticized for the fact that we have not seen him much in the party in recent years”, notes Marc -André Leclerc, who was an adviser to former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer.
According to him, with the current response, Conservative members might wonder if Jean Charest is “just passing through”.
Mr. Leclerc believes that the remarks of Ms.me Kheiriddin are “a bit odd” given that the vote has not yet taken place. “You are already talking about the formation of a new political party when this one [la course] is not over yet,” he said.
According to Conservative strategist Rodolphe Husny, a former adviser to Stephen Harper’s government, Mr.me Kheiriddin must clarify if this is her own reflection as an author or if she is also speaking as co-chair of Mr. Charest’s campaign.
According to Mr. Husny, the presence of two opposing narrative frameworks, either on the one hand “we think we have a chance of winning”, and on the other “there is perhaps a plan ‘B’ with a coalition”, creates confusion and raises doubts about the true chances of success.
However, he believes “quite normal” that Jean Charest and the other candidates affirm that victory is possible and that the most important moment is currently being played since they must motivate their troops to get the vote out, an operation that is taking place for more than a month.
Conservative members are to fill out a preferential ballot where they indicate their choices in order of preference. In addition to Jean Charest, the candidates are Pierre Poilievre, Leslyn Lewis, Scott Aitchison and Roman Barber.
The ballot must be returned by mail. The results are to be announced in Ottawa on September 10.