The Current

Conservatives clash in fight to re-define party after Stephen Harper

The race for the Conservative Party's leadership is crowded, competitive and crucial in setting the brand of the party in the post-Harper era.
Andrew Scheer, Kellie Leitch and Brad Trost, left to right, participate in the Conservative leadership candidates' bilingual debate in Moncton, N.B. on Dec.6, 2016. Conservatives vote for a new party leader on May 27, 2017. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

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The race for the Conservative Party's leadership is crowded, competitive and crucial in setting the brand of the party in the post-Harper era. 

Now that Harper's gone, the driving, centralized intelligence of the party is gone. The danger is that it could break up into component parts, and I think that's what we're kind of seeing happen.- Gerry Nicholls, political strategist

After almost a decade in power under Harper, the Tories are back in opposition and find themselves facing a popular prime minister.

So, who is best to take up the mantle and take on Justin Trudeau? How should the party position itself in this post-Harper era? 

A panel of conservative strategists share their thoughts with The Current.  

  • Ginny Movat, a senior consultant with Crestview Strategy
  • Gerry Nicholls, a communications consultant and strategist
  • Tim Powers, with Summa Strategies

Listen to the full conversation at the top of this post. 

This segment was produced by The Current's Sarah Grant and Network Producer Michael O'Halloran.