If Tory doesn't win this time, it's ``game over,'' said Greg Inwood, a politics professor at Toronto's Ryerson University.
– January 20th, Canoe.ca
Late last year, after an embarrassing 15 month seat search, negative press, dismal fundraising, and declining party membership – it finally seemed like John Tory was getting the message.
As 2009 opened, there was optimism that John was preparing to honourably vacate the Ontario PC leadership.
Instead, he chose to remain and is now contesting a byelection in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.
The choice for Ontario Conservatives is whether to help or hinder Mr. Tory’s byelection effort.
The choice is clear.
We need a new leader and a new direction – it’s time for renewal.
While victory for John in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock would represent a short-term boost, the long-term effects are obvious:
Tory has continually failed to benefit from the McGuinty government’s glaring shortcomings.
More than two thirds of Ontarians do not have confidence in his ability to defeat the Liberals in 2011, according to a poll conducted by Holinshed Research.
Worst of all, does anyone believe John Tory can shake the faith-based education funding albatross:
Conservatives in Ontario have one last chance to rebuild, with a new leader, towards victory in 2011.
If John Tory doesn't win this time, it's game over.
