Opinion | Letters (The Record.com)
Now that the mainstream media seems to finally be taking Kevin O’Leary’s potential run for the Conservative Party of Canada’s leadership seriously, I think it’s time for Canadian voters to do the same.
With less than six months to go before the leadership convention, things seem to finally be getting interesting in the race to replace Stephen Harper.
Even though there have already been three debates and multiple candidates running since last April, nothing remotely exciting has occurred in the race.
This will all change, however, if O’Leary decides to jump in after the all-French debate on Jan. 17. It will be that moment the race will draw substantially more attention from Canadians and the media, just like it did in the U.S. when Donald Trump decided to join the race for the presidency.
The Conservative party needs to realize the only way they will ever dream of reaching a majority government again in 2019 is with someone like O’Leary leading the party.
They desperately need someone to bring fresh ideas and energy to the Canadian political landscape. They can’t do it with any of the people currently running, because, quite frankly, the current debates are almost as boring and unwatchable as a Liberal leadership debate.
The lack of ratings and media attention after these debates speaks for itself.
I guarantee that if O’Leary is in the next English debate in February, the amount of attention and viewers it will generate will increase at least 10-fold. Furthermore, O’Leary would attract voters the party desperately needs to add or win back in the next election.
Take me as an example, who voted Liberal in the last election on the basis of issues, such the legalization of marijuana and medically assisted-suicide. Even though O’Leary agrees with those positions, it’s going to go beyond that with myself and many other Canadians.
His in-depth business experience and ability to speak honestly gives him an unmatched advantage compared to the many career politicians and lawyers he is going to run against.
I am part of a growing demographic in this country of twenty-somethings, who feel that we’ve been left behind. Many of us can’t find respectable jobs, even with a degree or diploma, can’t afford to buy a home in our communities and can’t seem to make enough money to get anywhere financially.
We, as I like to say, are becoming a “lost generation” and are looking for hope. We are desperate for someone to start talking to us on a personal level about our struggles, unlike the condescending and out-of-touch prime minister we have.
We need someone who will finally take on the political class that has been as self-serving as they have been ignorant towards to the real issues facing ordinary Canadians.
It’s easy to sit there and blame the Liberal party for this, but the truth is that it’s the fault of both parties who have governed this country for decades. That is why we need an outsider like O’Leary to run and actually try to change the Conservative party for the better.
We need to have new ideas and new people entering the Conservative party and not rely on the status-quo for success. If recent elections in the U.K., U.S., and Italy have taught us anything, it’s that the frustration and angst being felt is real and people are fed up and looking for a massive change in their government.
