CPC Leadership and Social Conservatives

[krypton iodine sulfur]

I came across an article today that a number of prominent Conservative Party of Canada members and leadership hopefuls are condemning the homophobic remarks of leadership candidate Richard Décarie.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-leadership-decarie-reaction-1.5437302

While I generaly find the CPC depressing, it is interesting to see how their leadership race will shape up. It's possible social conservatism will still be a net positive in their own leadership race (though I'm not entirely confident about that), but will put them at odds with the broader public in the next general election. I'm sure many feel that Scheer's awkward-at-best attitudes toward certain demographics really put him out of touch with modern Canada. While things like LGBT rights may not be a priority voting issue for many, in a campaign where people felt disenchanted with Trudeau and blah about Scheer--the two frontrunners, Scheer's socially conservative values may have been a tipping point for some fence-sitters to ultimately lean away from the CPC.

It's hard to imagine so-called "family values" do much more than pander to their already solidified base who will lack meaningful alternatives in the next general election. Holding onto their historic homophobia seems like it only has the potential to cost them, not make gains.

 

[krypton iodine sulfur]

It may be insignificant in this leadership race anyway. It's possible only Décarie and Sloan will make a point of raising socially conservative stances on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. Even if that garners some support, I don't know if that means much compared to some of the more notable candidates like MacKay.

https://globalnews.ca/news/6445595/rookie-mp-hastings-lennox-addington-announces-cpc-leadership/

 

[repoman]

Being gay is a choice...

These guys are either in the closet gay/bi or maybe the are sociopaths who think "a hole is a hole" and use people as fleshlights.

 

[Harry Bosch]

Being gay is a choice...

These guys are either in the closet gay/bi or maybe the are sociopaths who think "a hole is a hole" and use people as fleshlights.

Being gay is a choice? I didn't know that. For my ignorance, could you please provide an unbiased scientific link that supports this assertion? Thanks in advance.

 

[repoman]

Being gay is a choice...

These guys are either in the closet gay/bi or maybe the are sociopaths who think "a hole is a hole" and use people as fleshlights.

Being gay is a choice? I didn't know that. For my ignorance, could you please provide an unbiased scientific link that supports this assertion? Thanks in advance.

I was referring to the article and playing the opinion of the politician. Not my own opinion.

People who say being gay is a choice are probably closeted gay/bi or would be a sociopath able to rape a guy in prison despire being straight because a hole is a hole to them.

Also, I don't like the whole framing of "they are not gay by choice" it still maintains that gay activity between consenting adults is bad and the gays have an excuse for being bad. No excuse is needed because gay activity is not bad.

 

[krypton iodine sulfur]

nm

 

[Harry Bosch]

Being gay is a choice...

These guys are either in the closet gay/bi or maybe the are sociopaths who think "a hole is a hole" and use people as fleshlights.

Being gay is a choice? I didn't know that. For my ignorance, could you please provide an unbiased scientific link that supports this assertion? Thanks in advance.

I was referring to the article and playing the opinion of the politician. Not my own opinion.

Gotcha. I was reading too fast. My apologies...

 

[jab]

It may be insignificant in this leadership race anyway. It's possible only Décarie and Sloan will make a point of raising socially conservative stances on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. Even if that garners some support, I don't know if that means much compared to some of the more notable candidates like MacKay.

https://globalnews.ca/news/6445595/rookie-mp-hastings-lennox-addington-announces-cpc-leadership/

A socially conservative Francophone from Quebec could likely get enough votes in Quebec to defeat Trudeau in the next federal election. Remember Trudeau actually got fewer votes than Scheer's Conservatives.

 

[krypton iodine sulfur]

It may be insignificant in this leadership race anyway. It's possible only Décarie and Sloan will make a point of raising socially conservative stances on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. Even if that garners some support, I don't know if that means much compared to some of the more notable candidates like MacKay.

https://globalnews.ca/news/6445595/rookie-mp-hastings-lennox-addington-announces-cpc-leadership/

A socially conservative Francophone from Quebec could likely get enough votes in Quebec to defeat Trudeau in the next federal election. Remember Trudeau actually got fewer votes than Scheer's Conservatives.

The Conservatives also took one less seat in Quebec in the last election. It's hard to say from previous election results what the next election might bring. We have to wonder how the Bloc will be perceived going forward. For those who place a specific priority on Quebecois interests, is this really enough to turn the tide? Maybe I am out of touch, but Quebec doesn't strike me as strongly socially conservative on most fronts. Bill 62 may not be relevant when we elect our 44th parliament.

 

[krypton iodine sulfur]

The CPC barred Décarie from the leadership race, without providing reason:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ri...unning-conservative-leadership-race-1.5481159

His response in a series of tweets:

• Despite support from thousands of CPC party members, the unelected LEOC has disallowed my candidacy and will not allow my supporters to cast their ballots for me.
• No reasons were provided to me by the committee. It seems my candidacy was viewed as a threat to the establishment of the CPC and to the kind of leader THEY want to select.
• Thus far I was the only candidate who took a strong position in support of traditional marriage and who proposed to defund abortion federally as health care.
• True Blue Conservatives, including those with traditional values, are a major force within our Party. They are a force with or without my candidacy in this leadership contest.
• I continue to work with all True Blue conservatives who support and take action in the conservative movement, and within the CPC regardless of how uncomfortable this makes the unelected Red Tory elite.
• I believe in a CPC that welcomes all True Blue conservatives and offers a clear alternative to the Liberals. The CPC began on these principles. I helped build it from its founding, especially in Québec.
• I urge all my supporters to keep pressing on towards that goal. The work continues!

I was under the impression he didn't stand much of a chance regardless. Wonder if it would have been better of them to leave well enough alone.

 

[krypton iodine sulfur]

The election results are being counted, not that it's of much interest to most. Hell, I'm not sure if the leadership candidates themselves care much about this race at this point.

They use an instant-runoff vote for party leadership. Derek Sloan--the most socially conservative of the lot--is out in the first round. Hypothetically, Leslyn Lewis--probably the next most socially conservative--could survive the next round, but almost everyone who voted for Sloan would have to have her as their second choice, which is unlikely.

 

[krypton iodine sulfur]

Erin O'Toole is the new CPC leader. Pro-choice. Unopposed to same-sex marriage. Voted in favour of transgender rights (Bill C-279 in 2013; didn't vote on C-16 which eventually passed into law). Doesn't deny global warming.

He's far from a progressive, but perhaps he is a sign that some conservatives are trying to move on from certain issues which aren't doing them any favours in federal elections.