Pressure mounting on Poilievre to fire Jenni Byrne: sources

Pressure is mounting on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to make a tough decision regarding Jenni Byrne, his national campaign manager. Critics within the party are holding Byrne responsible for the Conservative party’s defeat in the recent federal election. Sources close to Radio-Canada have revealed that many Conservatives are urging Poilievre to fire Byrne in order to move forward and regain support within the party.

According to some Conservatives, heads need to roll after a loss, and Byrne’s departure is necessary for the party to rally behind Poilievre. The lack of support for Byrne within the party is clear, with one source stating, “If Jenni Byrne stays, we won’t be able to support Pierre.” Another added, “If there’s no change by January, the caucus will lose patience.” The discontent within the Conservative ranks has been growing steadily since the election defeat, with many directly blaming Byrne for the party’s shortcomings.

Critics of Byrne point to her toxic behavior at campaign headquarters, lack of communication with field teams, and failure to adjust the campaign message in response to external threats like Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Additionally, Byrne’s track record, including the Conservative party’s defeat in 2015 under Stephen Harper’s leadership, has not won her any favors among party members. Some even believe that Byrne’s influence has strained relations between Poilievre and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

Despite the mounting pressure on Poilievre to dismiss Byrne, some Conservatives are quick to defend her role in the party’s recent gains. The Conservative party won 143 seats in the last election, its highest number since 2011, and secured over 41 percent of the popular vote. Supporters of Byrne credit her campaign strategies for targeting specific voter demographics as key factors in the party’s relative success.

The internal debate within the Conservative party is ongoing, with Poilievre facing a tough decision regarding Byrne’s future. While some MPs have raised the question of Byrne’s departure in caucus meetings, Poilievre has not yet made a definitive statement on the matter. The possibility of an early party convention in Alberta has added to the pressure on Poilievre to address the internal discord within the party.

As the Conservative party executive prepares to meet to discuss the convention details, the fatigue among the party’s members is palpable. The recent loss in the federal election, coupled with years of internal strife, has left many feeling worn out. Despite this, the desire to see Byrne removed from her position remains strong among a significant portion of the Conservative movement.

The coming months will be crucial for Poilievre as he navigates the internal dynamics of the party and works to regain support following the election defeat. The decision regarding Byrne’s future within the party will undoubtedly shape the Conservative party’s path forward and determine the level of unity within its ranks.