The Paul Wells Show A Poilievre insider on the Conservative message
May 28, 2025
Ben Woodfinden, former communications director for Pierre Poilievre, shares his insights on the shifting tides of Canadian conservatism. He defends the party's recent electoral strategy and emphasizes the need for a strong, inclusive populist message to attract diverse demographics. Woodfinden also discusses the media landscape's evolution, including the transition from traditional outlets to social media for voter engagement. He highlights pressing issues like affordable housing and the complexities of coalition building to ensure future success.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Unique Anti-Gatekeeper Coalition
- Pierre Poilievre built a coalition of working-class, younger, and newer Canadians to challenge establishment gatekeepers.
- This coalition was central to his campaign and is worth preserving and expanding in future efforts.
Focus on Core Material Issues
- Voters prioritize material issues like housing, crime, and cost of living over abstract topics like foreign interference.
- Opposition leaders can be more selective in messaging, focusing on core issues that resonate with voters.
Pandemic Issues Faded Away
- Memories of the Freedom Convoy and COVID restrictions have faded and played little role in the last campaign.
- Poilievre's stance on freedom resonates broadly but these pandemic issues no longer dominate political discourse.