I was convinced the Liberal Party couldn’t win a fourth term. I was wrong

By: Andrew Perez
In my 20 years in politics as a Liberal partisan, I’ve heard my share of platitudes recited like articles of faith by pundits, media and party strategists alike. But the one that has consistently stood out is the cliché that governments defeat themselves as they near a decade in power. Yet, there are several exceptions to this rule in the modern era.
Liberals governed for 16 consecutive years (1963-1979) under Prime Ministers Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau with Trudeau quickly returning to office in 1980 on the heels of the “Joe Clark interlude.” Between 1993-2006, the party ruled for nearly 13 years as a result of three majority governments led by Jean Chretien and one minority government headed by Paul Martin.
I’ve been reflecting on this well-observed cliché in recent weeks amid a stunning reversal in public opinion. Since Trudeau’s resignation on January 7, Poilievre’s Conservatives have seen a staggering 27-point advantage evaporate into a single-digit lead with some polls now showing the two parties locked in a dead heat. Trudeau’s welcome resignation, the headline-grabbing Liberal leadership race, and the meteoric rise of Mark Carney’s candidacy would have been enough to upend the political dynamics heading into 2025. Add to that Donald Trump’s unprecedented attack on Canada’s sovereignty and the onset of a punishing trade war between the closest of allies, and we’ve been thrust into a completely new world.
In this uncharted world, voters are re-examining their assumptions and motivations — even their values — as they look ahead to the first federal election in this new era.
The ballot question has changed from one hinged on Trudeau’s tired leadership and unpopular policies to one grounded in a simple question: which leader is best placed to push back against Trump’s imperialistic aims and fight tooth and nail for Canadian sovereignty and prosperity.
Justin Trudeau’s resignation, the headline-grabbing Liberal leadership race, and the meteoric rise of Mark Carney’s candidacy have upend the political dynamics heading into an expected spring election., writes
Andrew Perez. It’s an entirely new issue:..
Source: nationalobserver.com