The Conservative Party itself was founded as a big tent party that brought people together who, despite their differences, found they had common cause. It was formed in 2003 following the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party.
Progressive conservatives, economic conservatives, libertarians, so-cons and others all got together to implement the policy priorities that they had in common. Take the best and abandon the rest. Classic big tent brokering.
Can some sort of deal be worked out here? Can the party perhaps take up a more modern issue or two that social conservatives care about in exchange for them leaving behind their non-starter objections to same-sex marriage and, perhaps, abortion?
Read True North’s Anthony Furey’s column in the Toronto Sun.
