Help us, Lord

Bernard Lord might run for the federal Conservative leadership after all - and some Alliance members say they'll support him if he does:

Bernard Lord's potential candidacy for the leadership of the new Conservative Party began attracting interest from beyond the Tory support base yesterday as some Canadian Alliance members said they would back the New Brunswick Premier should he run.

News that Mr. Lord is reconsidering his earlier decision to stay on the sidelines prompted a number of Alliance supporters to urge him into the race, saying he would give the party the new face that it needs.

"This new party needs somebody who's fresh, who can bring people together under a broad tent. I think he'd be a very interesting choice and one that I certainly would be supporting," said Hal Danchilla, a former deputy chief of staff for ex-Alliance leader Stockwell Day.
[...]
At least two other MPs also said yesterday they would consider backing Mr. Lord. Both Art Hanger and Jason Kenney said that Mr. Lord's entry into the race would be an important development.

Hanger and Kenney are two of the most socially conservative members of the party, so if they're enthusiastic about a moderate like Lord, they must believe Stephen Harper simply can't win a general election. The biggest complaint I keep hearing about the new party is that it's little more than the old Canadian Alliance under a new name - and the criticism will just get worse if Harper becomes the leader.

I want to see Lord's position on some key issues, especially regarding defence and foreign policy, before I support him. But right now, I'm certainly leaning toward him.

Posted by damian at December 19, 2003 07:06 AM