Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

John Robson: Conservatives need to tell Canadians the truth — there's no free lunch

Conservatives must be the reality party. Which they are inherently anyway

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

If I were to say the Conservative Party of Canada has a serious problem, you might well reply that it was not the sort of deep insight for which you would pay money. But when Post columnist Geoff Russ writes that the Tories’ problem is an aging populace unreceptive to a message of limited government and Carson Jerema adds that everybody hates their leader, I hope to earn my keep by offering a simple solution: Tell the populace adults truths in an adult voice.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Not the sort of shallow insight for which political consultants would offer a dime. But Russ is bang on that “The Conservative Party of Canada’s problem is not only one of messaging. The country to which tax-cuts and smaller-government conservatism once spoke has aged, slowed, and become more dependent on the state.” Partly for jobs, sure. But “(t)he real culprit is the growing share of the population made up of retirees and pensioners.”

John Robson: Conservatives need to tell Canadians the truth — there's no free lunch Back to video

The National Post newsletter........

© National Post