Potential Future Leaders of the Conservative Party of Canada

[UofGPolitico]

Way to premature to know if 2015 will turf the Conservative government, but the possibility seems more likely now than it did at the end of 2011. At that point I would fully expect Stephen Harper to step aside. So, whether its 2015 or later, who really is a logical successor to him? I think Harper is clearly looking upon Jason Kenney as his "heir apparent", at least that is my impression. Would Jim Prentice come back in and run as a more centrist candidate? What about John Baird? Jim Flaherty?

What do people think?

[Newfoundlander]

I can't imagine the Conservatives losing in 2015. I'd love to see Stephen Harper call it quits, but I don't think it's likely.

Some of the successors I'd like include;

Christian Paradis

Maxime Bernier (eventhough he's a bit nuts I'd like him to run)

Michael Chong

John Baird

Chris Alexander

Bernard Trottier

Mark Adler

James Moore

There's more then that but I can't think of who else at the moment, and that's just from caucus.

Bernard Lord is an option and so is Michael Fornier, but he probably blew his chances.

[August1991]

So, whether its 2015 or later, who really is a logical successor to him?

Huh? I reckon that Stephen Harper is a marriage of Mackenzie King and Pierre Trudeau.

Harper has manipulated the system (like King) to ensure his re-election. But Harper has also arrived with an ideology for the times (like Trudeau).

I wonder whether Harper has struck the motherlode of federal politics: regional deals/compromise.

----

If Harper (born in 1959) can make federal Canada work, he'll be PM longer than King (born in 1874).

Let's see.

Edited March 3, 2012 by August1991

[UofGPolitico]

Huh? I reckon that Stephen Harper is a marriage of Mackenzie King and Pierre Trudeau.

Harper has manipulated the system (like King) to ensure his re-election. But Harper has also arrived with an ideology for the times (like Trudeau).

I wonder whether Harper has struck the motherlode of federal politics: regional deals/compromise.

----

If Harper (born in 1959) can make federal Canada work, he'll be PM longer than King (born in 1874).

Let's see.

If he does get re-elected with a majority mandate in 2015, if he were to serve the full term (until fall 2019) he would be Canada's longest serving prime minister (in terms of consecutive time in power) since Wilfrid Laurier.

[UofGPolitico]

I can't imagine the Conservatives losing in 2015. I'd love to see Stephen Harper call it quits, but I don't think it's likely.

Some of the successors I'd like include;

Christian Paradis

Maxime Bernier (eventhough he's a bit nuts I'd like him to run)

Michael Chong

John Baird

Chris Alexander

Bernard Trottier

Mark Adler

James Moore

There's more then that but I can't think of who else at the moment, and that's just from caucus.

Bernard Lord is an option and so is Michael Fornier, but he probably blew his chances.

Interesting list. I love Michael Chong, and he most certainly is destined to be a backbencher until Harper does go, but he is very popular both on the hill and in his riding and surrounding area. I've met many Guelphites who wish he was their MP and not Frank. Be interesting if he did one day launch a leadership bid.

[TheNewTeddy]

Peter MacKay

John Baird

Tony Clement

Jim Flaherty

Peter Van Loan

Jason Kenney

Joe Oliver

Maxime Bernier

Lawrence Cannon

Michael Chong

Stockwell Day

Michael Fortier

Jim Prentice

Monte Solberg

And that's just from the federal crowd. If Harper were to win another majority in 2015, names like Alison Redford become possible.

[Smallc]

Joe Oliver is probably a bit old.

[capricorn]

I wonder whether Harper has struck the motherlode of federal politics: regional deals/compromise.

In addition, I wouldn't discount underwhelming opposition.

[j44]

Jason Kenney would be at the top if my list. I can't see any path for Peter MacKay or Stockwell Day. I think our finance minster calls it quits when Harper does. That's just a gut feeling though.

[capricorn]

I think our finance minster calls it quits when Harper does.

That my sense too. IMO Flaherty will land in a plum job with an international organization.

[UofGPolitico]

That my sense too. IMO Flaherty will land in a plum job with an international organization.

Yeah, he is fairly well respected both in and outside of Canada. He could also retire too. He will be 66 by 2015.

[olpfan1]

Jason Kenney is decent, he's my favourite from the cpc

i honestly would think about voting cpc if he were the leader and that he shown he was different than harper

Edited March 3, 2012 by olpfan1

[UofGPolitico]

Jason Kenney is decent, he's my favourite from the cpc

I'd argue he's more right-wing than Harper, and you like him?

[olpfan1]

I'd argue he's more right-wing than Harper, and you like him?

im right wing when it comes to immigration ..im not sure what he sees on the other issues

[UofGPolitico]

im right wing when it comes to immigration ..im not sure what he sees on the other issues

Interesting. Presumably he is pretty in line with Harper's stances because he is Harper's pet project I think. Since 2006 he has moved up the most of any MP under him.

[olpfan1]

Interesting. Presumably he is pretty in line with Harper's stances because he is Harper's pet project I think. Since 2006 he has moved up the most of any MP under him.

well, as long as he doesn't govern like harper he's at least an improvement..I can't stand how all kinds of Mps get away with everything harper has let them get away with..even Mulroney kicked his mps out of the party when he found them doing something they shouldn't..that is my biggest dislike about harper

Another thing I don't like is he shuns science and facts...I hope Kenney is the opposite..that would go a long way with me

Edited March 3, 2012 by olpfan1

[Newfoundlander]

I am not a fan of Jason Kenny at all, he's basically a younger Harper. He's got a good chance of being the next Prime Miniater though.

[olpfan1]

I am not a fan of Jason Kenny at all, he's basically a younger Harper. He's got a good chance of being the next Prime Miniater though.

well that's no good.. guess I should think about this more eh

[j44]

He's pretty conservative on foreign policy too. I would argue Harper likes him so much because of his work in the last election and not necessarily because their views line up.

[UofGPolitico]

I am not a fan of Jason Kenny at all, he's basically a younger Harper. He's got a good chance of being the next Prime Miniater though.

I'd personally like to see a more "centrist" leader next go around. Harper isn't as right-wing as the left would make you believe, but optics are everything. As long as he is in power, he will never fully shed the Reform/CA and NCC days.

[Topaz]

I think its going to be a former reformer vs MacKay and Harper will support the reformer. The only problem is they have to clean up this election fraud business, because the court of public opinion, voters will have doubts that they are behind this voter fraud and Harper could lose some of his supporters in Ontario.

[olpfan1]

Harper isn't as right-wing as the left would make you believe, but optics are everything.

I think that is because he knows it would be the end of his reign as King Canada if he became a fully realized U.S Republican

[UofGPolitico]

I think that is because he knows it would be the end of his reign as King Canada if he became a fully realized U.S Republican

Well whatever keeps him in check. Some of his ministers actions notwithstanding, Harper is a very smart and tactical man. He's one of the smoothest political operators this country has seen in a long time.

[Newfoundlander]

MacKay has blown his chances in my opinion.

[cybercoma]

A monkey in a fez hat that knows how to read a script is my pick.