Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s campaign is in need of a reset, according to some veteran Tory campaigners and strategists who believe that the focus should be on addressing the impact of Donald Trump on the upcoming election rather than other issues like carbon taxes or crime. These sources warn that Poilievre appears to be fighting yesterday’s battles and needs to adapt to the changing political landscape. With the Trump administration’s threats to annex Canada, the game plan Poilievre had established for the election has been disrupted, putting the focus on economic concerns. Multiple Conservative sources describe a problematic central campaign with a disconnected leader, leading to criticism of how Poilievre has handled the shifting political situation.
The campaign’s isolated leader and lack of adaptability have led to concerns among Conservative sources who have worked with the party for years and have strong connections within the party. These sources are critical of Poilievre’s handling of the changing political environment and believe that the campaign needs a course correction. Despite the declining support in national polling, Poilievre downplayed concerns about his campaign’s performance, emphasizing the need for Canadians to make their choice on election day. The campaign’s strict hierarchy, with Poilievre at the top and limited outside help, has contributed to its challenges in organization and communication with local candidates.
The drumbeat of negative news surrounding the campaign has created a tense atmosphere at the party’s Ottawa headquarters, with concerns about staff morale and uncertain job security. Despite two years of preparation and planning, the party has struggled to pivot to address the current political landscape effectively. Polling projections suggest that the Conservatives face an uphill battle in securing a majority mandate, with the Liberals currently leading in support. Poilievre’s campaign is facing challenges in gaining support in key regions like Atlantic Canada, where the Liberals have been dominating in recent polling.
The sources close to Poilievre’s campaign acknowledge the difficult and competitive environment in which they are operating but believe that the leadership is cohesive and tight, which could potentially work in their favor. The campaign needs to address a broader range of issues facing Canadians beyond just Trump in order to improve their standing in the polls. The criticism from within the party about the campaign’s missteps and lack of adaptability highlights the need for a reset to address the changing political dynamics that have shifted the focus to economic concerns and the impact of the Trump administration on Canada. Poilievre’s upcoming campaign stops in various regions across the country will be crucial in determining the party’s strategy moving forward.
