Front Burner Leader or loser: Poilievre’s crucial vote
13 snips
Jan 30, 2026 
David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data and pollster, breaks down polling and coalition shifts. Aaron Wherry, longtime parliamentary writer, traces party dynamics and leadership turmoil. They trace the Conservatives’ revolving leadership, analyze Poilievre’s rise and its electoral paradox, and debate whether the party can stay united or needs a new direction.
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Long Runoff Left Party Fractured
- The 2017 Conservative leadership had 16 candidates and produced deep factional divides across many ballots.
- Andrew Scheer won after 13 rounds, leaving a fragile coalition and lasting party divisions.
O'Leary Quit And Shifted The Race
- Kevin O'Leary dropped out mid-race and endorsed Maxime Bernier, shifting the contest dynamics.
- Hamish Marshall and Andrew Scheer's team then executed a second‑ballot strategy to overtake Bernier.
Bernier's Break Revealed Deep Splits
- Maxime Bernier split from the Conservatives to form the People's Party after internal conflicts.
- His departure underscored long-running tensions between mainstream and populist wings.
