Leading the Conservatives is like herding cats

I've never particularly liked Erin O'Toole, and I don't think he's done a particularly sterling job as leader of the federal Conservatives over the last year or two. But I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for him.

As he faces a leadership review today, and much dissent in the Tory ranks, he's on a hiding to nothing. If he is ousted, then the Conservatives will probably select a more extreme right-winger as leader, which may make them all but unelectable. If he wins, and remains as leader, he will always be in the same situation (or worse), constantly trying to herd a disparate bunch of politicians and hold them together in a single party.

Because that is the task he is faced with, and the task he has been failing at thus far. The modern Conservative Party of Canada is a such a multi-headed beast, it is, almost by definition, unmanageable. From the far right côterie, exemplified by Derek Sloane and Leslyn Lewis, to angry fiscal hawks like Pierre Poilievre, to the more traditional Red Tory old guard à la John Baird and Peter McKay, the Conservatives are three or four parties rolled into one. And then, of course, there are Western and Eastern factions, each with their own issues and profiles. However, you can see why they are reluctant to split into smaller,  more homogeneous parties, because their prospects of governing the country disappear with the changes. (Thus far, only Maxime Bernier's People's Party has splintered off, and that hasn't gone well.)

Nevertheless, for some reason, O'Toole wants to remain leader, and feels he is up to the task. It's not an enviable position, though. As is the way with these things, trying to please everyone often ends up pleasing no-one. And no-one knows this better than Erin O'Toole.

UPDATE

Erin O'Toole lost his vote and has resigned as leader, and by a large margin of 73 to 45. A few hours later, deputy leader Candice Bergen was voted in as interim leader until a permanent leader can be found. Make of that what you will, although she was the most obvious choice, despite her professed allegiance to the Freedom Convoy cause (she has called them "passionate, patriotic and peaceful Canadians", believe it or not), and her penchant for camouflaged MAGA hats.

As for who will ultimately lead the party, and when, that is still anyone's guess. But don't look for a magical unification: not even early favourite Pierre Poilievre can promise that (although he probably will). The Tory "Big Tent" is looking more and more like a campground of individual tents than ever.