I wanted to wait a few days before posting anything in-depth about the Ontario election results. My comments on election night might have been construed as being a bit harsh, and I thought with the benefit of some sober second thinking I might change my mind. I've been surprised to see amount of support popping up for him, although most of it is from predictable sources. Even pro-Tory websites are popping up. But I haven't changed my mind.
John Tory is a great man and an outstanding citizen. But his results on election night are indefensible. He did worse than Ernie Eves in 2003 and didn't even win his own seat.
There are cases of leaders losing badly and staying on for the next election (Dalton McGuinty, Robert Stanfield and John Turner come to mind) but these leaders didn't lose their own seat. If memory serves, Alberta Premier Don Getty lost his own seat in an election once, but he still won government. I'm trying and failing to think of a Canadian example that mirrors what happened to John Tory where the leader subsequently stayed for another election. He could stay on for a while to get things in order -- particularly given his superb fundraising abilities -- but he should not stay on for the 2011 campaign.
The lessons of this campaign are clear, and you've heard them already. No need to repeat.
The PC Party of Ontario is in need of serious renewal at all lavels, but it has to start at the very top.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 6:00 PM
