Liberal-NDP deal buys more time for next Conservative leader, but there’s a downside

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OTTAWA — A brand new settlement between the federal Liberal authorities and New Democrats has one thing vital to supply the subsequent Conservative chief: Time.

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The deal, set to final till 2025, sees the NDP pledge to not vote to deliver down the minority Liberal authorities, in change for working collectively on shared priorities.

With the Conservatives set to select their new chief Sept. 10, the celebration would have greater than two years to organize to face Canadians in a common election, assuming the Liberal-NDP deal holds.

That’s longer than former chief Erin O’Toole had when he was elected to the celebration’s high job.

He was chosen in August 2020 and on the marketing campaign path one yr later.

Conservative marketing campaign strategist Michael Diamond says if the Liberal-NDP deal lasts till 2025, it gives a better path to victory for the subsequent Conservative chief.

He says the additional time additionally seemingly means candidates working and not using a seat within the Home of Commons, like former Quebec premier Jean Charest and Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown, have one much less factor to fret about.

Shakir Chambers, who helped Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives win Ontario’s 2018 election, says the substance of the Liberal-NDP deal does, nevertheless, present a problem for the subsequent Conservative chief in terms of making guarantees of restrained spending.

He says the settlement inks in structural spending, like long-term funding for child-care offers, which will probably be onerous to stroll again.

“No one desires you to remove these goodies,” he mentioned.