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    Many Tories see MacKay’s political experience as being the right blend of old and new (Photograph by Dimitri Aspinall)

    Peter MacKay: The Tories’ avatar of unity, hope and renewal—but also of unforced errors

    He’s the charismatic candidate who’s supposed to be most electable, carrying name recognition and the promise of centrist appeal. But some Conservatives are not without worries.

    MacKay addresses the crowd at a federal Conservative leadership forum during the annual general meeting of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative party in Halifax on Feb. 8, 2020 (Andrew Vaughan/CP)

    Peter MacKay’s uncomfortable lead: 338Canada

    Philippe J. Fournier: Short of a massive first-ballot lead, Peter MacKay is vulnerable and, without support from social conservatives, could lose the leadership

    MacKay addresses the crowd at a federal Conservative leadership forum during the annual general meeting of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative party in Halifax on Feb. 8, 2020 (CP/Andrew Vaughan)

    Peter MacKay chases a Pyrrhic victory

    Andrew MacDougall: While the world is shutting down to fight a pandemic, why is Peter MacKay plowing ahead with his Conservative leadership bid?

    MacKay addresses a federal Conservative leadership forum during the annual general meeting of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative party in Halifax on Feb. 8, 2020 (CP/Andrew Vaughan)

    Sometimes soldiering on is the wrong thing to do (Attention: CPC leadership race)

    Andrew MacDougall: Fundraising emails, pledges to remove the carbon tax. The Conservative Party needs to rethink its leadership race amidst the coronavirus crisis.

    A race suddenly breaks out for the Conservative leadership

    Stephen Maher: Jason Kenney’s endorsement of Erin O’Toole is unusual, but could also deliver a powerful boost to a campaign already on the upswing

    What’s the winning recipe for the Conservatives?

    Philippe J. Fournier: Who is leading the party won’t matter as much as who can get the vote out in the next general election

    What wouldn’t Erin O’Toole do to win?

    Stephen Maher: Erin O’Toole is a well-respected, serious and thoughtful politician. But that’s not what will win over the Conservative base.

    Run, John Baird. For the love of God, run.

    Andrew MacDougall: It wouldn’t be easy, but Baird’s entrance would give a stale Conservative leadership race the shakeup it so badly needs

    Ladies and gentlemen, John Baird is taking calls

    Politics Insider for Feb 10: John Baird dances around the leadership question, Trudeau’s tricky African sojourn and the aftermath of Flight 752

    Peter MacKay’s powerful ally—a lobbyist with SNC-Lavalin ties

    William Pristanski has been a key MacKay backer and strategist. He was also one of the lobbyists seeking to help SNC-Lavalin avoid a criminal trial.

    Don’t fear the social conservatives

    The organized SoCon wing looms large over the Tory leadership race. A new report suggests it would tolerate a moderate leader.

    338Canada: A bilingual Tory leader? The numbers say it matters.

    Philippe J. Fournier: A new Léger poll shows Canadians favour a bilingual leader—and without one the Conservatives could face a crushing defeat

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