OTTAWA—Are there lessons for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in this past weekend’s implosion of the short-lived leadership of the British Columbia Conservative Party’s Kerry-Lynne Findlay? 

Findlay, a former caucus colleague of the federal leader, lasted four months in her role before her Sept. 20 self-sendoff. From the outside, her approach seemed to be one fuelled by constant conflict, rage farming, an absolutist approach to team membership, and a general disconnect with the wider B.C. audience.

One regret or lesson Poilievre may have is so publicly endorsing Findlay at the Calgary Stampede in July. He was an enthusiastic public booster, and while praising her in the West, he dropped a hand grenade in his own lap when he lambasted those who supported her opponent in the B.C. Conservative leadership race. He called them eastern “liberal lobbyists,” and challenged their commitment to conservative politics. After that slag, Poilievre ended up with a summer of incoming fire from all manner of Conservative advocates who felt Poilievre should have known better than to throw bombs at once-former allies and those who campaigned........

© The Hill Times