Blue Tory
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A Blue Tory in Canadian politics is a conservative who advocates for free-market or economically liberal policies.[1] The term has been applied to members of the modern Conservative Party of Canada and provincial Progressive Conservative parties, as well as the historical Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, Reform Party of Canada and Canadian Alliance. In contemporary language, Blue Tories are sometimes described as "true-blue Conservatives".[2]
History
Prior to the 1960s, these conservatives were most identified with the Montreal and Toronto commercial elite who took positions of influence within the Progressive Conservative Party. Since the mid-1970s, they have been heavily influenced by the libertarian movement and the more individualist nature of American conservatism.[3] Blue Tories tend to favour market-oriented economic policies such as devolution of federal power to the provincial governments, a reduced role for government in the economy,[1] reduction of taxation and similar mainstream market liberal ideals. They also advocate self reliance, individual responsibility, personal freedom and liberty and therefore do not necessarily support social conservatism.[3][4]
One example of a Blue Tory government in Canada was the "
Most Blue Tories are at least somewhat ideologically aligned close to the economically liberal positions of the former Canadian Alliance and as such supported the merger between the PCs and the Alliance to form the new federal Conservative Party of Canada (CPC).
Notable adherents
Notable Blue Tories include:
- Mike Harris, Premier of Ontario (1995–2002)[5]
- Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada (2006–2015)[5][6]
- Ralph Klein, Premier of Alberta (1992–2006)[5]
- Preston Manning, former leader of the Reform Party[5][6]
- Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada (1984–1993)[5][6]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4426-3470-1.
- ^ Whittington, Les (August 23, 2021). "A true-blue Tory in the Conservatives' big tent? In search of Erin O'Toole". Hill Times. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ a b Postmedia News (April 9, 2012). "Alberta election pits PC's 'red' versus Wildrose's 'blue' conservatives, experts say". National Post. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ "Why Jews were red tories". Canadian Jewish News. March 4, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Conservatism". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^ a b c "Red Tory". The Canadian Encyclopedia.