Conservative leadership convention projects ‘united’ front, but some attendees admit to nervousness, uncertainty in the ranks

'What’s really going to be interesting is whoever wins is not going to be the overwhelming first choice of the party, because no one is going to win 50 plus one [per cent support] on the first ballot,' predicts Conservative strategist and vice-chairman of Summa Strategies, Tim Powers.

Conservative MP Maxime Bernier is considered by many to be the frontrunner in the Conservative Party leadership race, which will come to an end on Saturday evening in Toronto. This is the first leadership contest since former prime minister Stephen Harper took the helm in 2004. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

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BY ABBAS RANA, LAURA RYCKEWAERT, CHELSEA NASH

May 27, 2017

TORONTO CONGRESS CENTRE—Members of the Conservative Party attending the leadership convention in Toronto say they are feeling “upbeat,” “excited,” and “nervous” as the outcome of this two-day gathering will set the future direction of the party, and play a large role in determining if ...

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