I was about to write essentially what BBB wrote. Harper had a very strong and loyal base, and he played to that base. He and his advisors, if he really took their advice, missed the point that 60% of Canadians were not in favour of many of his policies.
We can all list numerous things that Harper did since he became PM that upset many Canadians. I was a long time PC supporter, but that changed shortly after Harper took over the reins of the party. I became a very early anti-Harper person. It seemed as if everything he did from picking a fight with the Chief Justice of the SCC, to suspending Duffy without due process, to muzzling scientists whose opinions did not support his position, etc, reinforced my opinion.
Harper is gone. But, make no mistake. Those who backed Harper are still running the Conservative party. Unless the party examines what happened and decides it should be less extreme right wing, it will not change. Harper's speech last night suggested that the far right conservative values are deeply rooted within the party.
It does not bode well for the future of the Conservative Party of Canada if it does not become more tolerant and forgiving.
