Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s campaign manager, Jenni Byrne, has announced that she will not be leading the party’s campaign in the upcoming federal election. Byrne expressed her support for the decision not to shift the campaign focus to emphasize the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump in the previous election.
During her first post-election interview on the “Beyond a Ballot” podcast, Byrne mentioned that she is currently providing Poilievre and the caucus with policy advice but has stepped back from the day-to-day operations and will not manage the next campaign.
Following the spring election, there was increasing pressure on Poilievre to dismiss Byrne, with critics holding her accountable for the Conservatives losing a significant lead and the party leader losing his Ottawa-area seat. Byrne acknowledged the disappointment felt by many due to the missed victory opportunity and the desire for change among the electorate.
Poilievre, who had been an MP for the Carleton riding for over 20 years, lost his seat to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy by a margin of 4,500 votes. Kory Teneycke, former campaign manager for Ontario Premier Doug Ford, criticized the federal Conservative campaign during the last election, emphasizing the need for a strategic pivot to avoid disaster.
Teneycke highlighted that the campaign focused on the wrong issues, such as the cost of living, inflation, and the housing crisis, instead of addressing the growing concern among voters about Donald Trump. He noted that sounding too “Trumpy” complicated the situation for Poilievre.
Byrne defended the decision not to shift the campaign’s focus towards Trump, stating that emphasizing affordability resonated with new party supporters concerned about the cost of living crisis. She believed that pivoting to Trump would have alienated these voters and jeopardized the party’s electoral success.
Regarding Poilievre’s loss in his riding, Byrne attributed it to demographic changes and increased public service workers in the area. She acknowledged that the party should have recognized these shifts earlier but expressed uncertainty about potential actions to address the issue in time, given the limited seat options available.
Currently participating in a byelection in the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, Poilievre anticipates an easy victory on August 18. The Conservative convention in January will review Poilievre’s leadership, with Byrne expressing confidence in his capabilities and expecting strong support from party members.
Byrne emphasized her belief in Poilievre’s leadership and anticipated continued backing for him as the party’s leader, underscoring that the ongoing narrative surrounding Poilievre’s leadership journey is far from over.