Monday, March 17, 2008

Will John Tory Run in Leeds-Grenville?

There have been rumors lately that Tory MPP Bob Runciman might step down and seatless Ontario Tory leader John Tory might run in the vacated riding of Leeds-Grenville. Tory isn't saying one way or another, but this Chatsworth blogger doesn't think it would be an easy victory, due to a mini-resurgence of the (believe it or not) Reform Party of Ontario, possibly led by (believe it or not) elements from the Ontario Land Owners Association and Randy Hillier:

That John Tory spurned Rural Ontario by telling Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey that Urban Ontario is where he belonged, when he left to run in Toronto's Don Valley West, he killed any shot of getting back in through such a route again. The best he could do is follow Parry Sound—Muskoka MP Tony Clement up the 400, past Muskoka and north on the 69 because any Rural Ontario run will be complicated by the Ontario Landowners now. This is especially true if such a John Tory loyalist as Leeds—Grenville MPP Bob Runciman even tried his best to sneak him in by resigning, such a byelection would likely produce an Ontario Landowner under the Ontario Reform banner, who like Don Valley West MPP Kathleen Wynne would slaughter John Tory back to a Bay Street condo retreat over the Lakeshore.

The Ontario Tories seem to have themselves a nice little civil war going. I've argued previously that sticking with John Tory is the best solution for the Ont. Conservatives and, in the end, for the province in general. But if they want to self-flagellate themselves until they achieve some form of ideological cleansing, I guess that's okay too.

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