This year is the first time I've ever been politically active, beyond merely voting. I joined the Conservative party because I believe we MUST become involved if we want to start influencing the talking points and direction things go. There is simply no other way. If you're not at the table, don't expect them to pay you any attention.
I may or may not vote Conservative in the election (I like PPC) but I joined the party because voting for leader gives me more oomph towards influencing that national conversation.
With that said, I'm curious on people's views on Conservative candidates.
I know Poilievere is the front runner, but I'm just not sure I trust him. He seems like a great bull dog, but I often think that might be a tool a different leader would love to have in his toolbox. There's a rumor that he's involved in the WEF but he's publicly addressed and disavowed that and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that count because I'm feeling generous.
My personal favorite is Leslyn Lewis - she seems measured and well versed on the actual issues and appears more interested in taking action than in being in the spotlight. She's also the only truly pro-life candidate, which tends to align her with all the other pro-family values etc. The MSM will have a hard time using their normal cards on her, being a black woman, LOL.
Roman Baber seems decent (I think he's my #2 ballot). Has a strong track record of actually speaking up throughout covid, paying the price for that, and understands that our very democracy is at stake here.
Scott Aitchinson... I admittedly don't know a ton about him but the few sound bites I've heard haven't distinguished him much. Still seems to toe a lot of the globalist lines IMO.
Jean Charest........... well, he's not getting anywhere CLOSE to my ballot card.
I'm very interested to hear what others have to say here.
Yeah - it is precisely the crappy leadership issue you pointed out that prompted me to get involved. Leslyn actually won the popular vote in the last leadership race, but lost overall. We just need more people in the fray supporting true conservative values, not the watered down liberal trash we've come to expect from the party lately.
The PPC is interesting - I like Max Bernier, and I think overall, they would align most closely to what most of us on this site would consider to be our values, but they have a long, long way to go before they're a legitimate threat on the national scale.