1. In pursuit of 40% popular vote, have Conservatives accidentally become a minority proposition with voters? What ever happened to the Silent Majority. Make a broader appeal and fall short instead of trying to tack on extra voters to the 1/3 who are with us. #cdnpoli
2. Values and emotions build political brands. Conservatives mostly stuck on taxes and finances (cognitive arguments). Why do we think values and emotions are the exclusive territory of Liberals or Trudeau?
3. The rural/urban divide is existential as our country changes. In the 65 ridings with more than 2,500 people per square kilometre there are zero Tory MPs. Aren’t there policies that would be extremely attractive to urban voters that don’t turn away the rural base?
3a. Lack of urban conservative MPs is not the case in the UK or Australia. Maybe it’s not about policies at all but rather how our brand is perceived on cultural, environmental and social issues?
4. It’s good to play against type once in a while. George W. Bush did this with his focus on aids in Africa. Can conservatives find something that makes voters look twice?
5. Voters have never been more disconnected from politics. Traditional ways to showcase new political leaders (basic ads, media) don’t work as well. Need to find meaningful ways to build an emotional connection w/voters or an undefined leader will get ground up by a campaign.
6. Authenticity is the North Star. Are we using talking points or delivering messages? Do we say carefully constructed lines or convey straight talk?
7. What about climate change? Activist and donor class most skeptical of the issue. Swing voters bombarded with talk of it being a crisis. If we truly believe a carbon tax isn’t the only way to fight it, why do we come across as though we also don’t care?
8. Social issues always trip us up. If leader holds socially conservative views they need to do three things: speak authenticity and from heart, be clear on what they will and won’t do, and be convincing. What else is required?
8a. BTW, why do we get all the blame for being bigots yet none of the credit for running governments that demonstrably did not re-open divisive social issues and have avoided the xenophobia that plagues conservative parties in Europe and elsewhere? Are we telling our story well?
9. Every industry on the planet is being disrupted by technology and innovation. But our political campaigns look the same as they did in mid 2000s. Are we missing an opportunity to innovate? Especially tour and leader communications.
10. Are we doing enough as a political party to be a movement? Are we finding ways to bring new people in and making them welcome in the big-C Conservative political machine?
11. How come the Liberals do a better job at electing women?
12. How do the visual identity (brand) and communications products of the Conservative Party come across to voters? Maybe it’s time to audit and ask whether we should take steps to present a fresher image as we enter the 2020s. See point 11 and 3.
