The Conservative Party invites Vote Leave Founder to Speak at Convention
The Conservative Party has invited one of the founders of Britain’s Vote Leave campaign to give the keynote address at their convention in Québec City next month. Lord Daniel Hannan, an influential voice during the Brexit debate, is scheduled to speak at the Conservative policy convention. The convention will bring together Conservative grassroots for three days of policy talk, networking, and rallies beginning on Sept. 7.
This choice of speaker is interesting as it deviates from some of the Canadian conservative movement’s policies. Lord Daniel Hannan has advocated for policies that run counter to the Canadian conservative movement, such as limited drug decriminalization and electoral reform.
However, the invitation aligns with some Canadian Conservatives’ admiration for their British counterparts, specifically former Prime Minister Boris Johnston’s success at winning over “blue collar” voters.
The convention in Québec City is the first policy convention since Andrew Scheer’s leadership in 2018 and may be the last convention before the next general election. While the policy debates are unlikely to transform Pierre Poilievre’s eventual election platform, the Conservatives are currently leading in national polling.
Conservative Grassroots Priorities
Based on voting results obtained by Global News, the top priority among Conservative electoral district associations (EDAs) is reforming the bail system, referred to as a “catch-and-release” system. Other prominent policy resolutions receiving support include streamlining firearms classifications, protecting free speech in the public square, and banning gender-affirming medical care for Canadians under the age of 18.
Poilitical Implications
Some policies debated at the convention are influenced by previous events, such as the 2022 convoy protests, which Pierre Poilievre embraced as an MP and contender for the party’s leadership. The data suggests that nearly 60 policy resolutions will be considered at the convention, but no specific information regarding priority policy resolutions has been provided by the Conservative Party.
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