Poilievre may be a ‘strong’ leader but unifying the Tories is a challenge: former Minister – National

Careful MP Pierre PoilievreSaturday’s announcement to run for party leader and Canada’s next prime minister is being widely endorsed by Tory members of Parliament.

Poilievre, the financial critic of the Tories, became the first candidate to submit his bid gave Canada’s Conservative Party the top spot after MPs forced Erin O’Toole out of position in the past week.

Among those pledging support for the Ottawa region MP was John Baird, a former federal Conservative cabinet minister.

In an interview with West area of Mercedes Stephenson Sunday, Baird said Poilievre has the qualities to be a “very strong leader”, but unifying a fractured Conservative Party will be a challenge.

Baird, who served as Foreign Secretary from 2011 to 2015 under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said: “He’s someone who I think will excite Conservatives, not just in the caucus. of parliament, but also across the country and to the encouragement of Canadians.

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Pierre Poilievre joins Conservative leadership race, says he is ‘running for prime minister’

In a three-minute video announced on social media on Saturday night, Poilievre did not mention the Conservative Party by name or the campaign, only saying he wanted the job of prime minister.

The race to replace O’Toole, who was ousted by Conservative MPs in Wednesday’s vote, is going well with thousands of new memberships sold, a source told. Global News on Friday.

Anger against O’Toole’s leadership has been simmering for months, fueled by disappointing election results in September.

The Conservatives have lost ground in key areas of the country compared to their defeat in the 2019 election.

Baird said the Conservatives needed more Tories “on the bench” and back “in the game”.

“We lost 550,000 votes in the last election. We want those people back,” he added.

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Conservatives enter third leadership race in 6 years

Baird said the Conservatives needed someone with strong leadership who could offer some hope that there was opportunity in the future.

“I think what you’re going to see is Pierre presenting himself as a hugely popular leader of the Conservative Party and then presenting himself as a possible candidate for prime minister and becoming a prime minister. succeed in being elected.”

Manitoba MP Candice Bergen currently serves as interim leader of the Conservative party until a new permanent leader is chosen by party members.

– with files from the Canadian Press.