Why are Conservative PMs loathed in Canada?

Question

If a Prime Minister is from the Conservative Party, it just seems as if the public seems to turn against the Prime Minister. We saw this with John Diefenbaker, with Joe Clark, Brian Mulroney, and now Stephen Harper. It seems like they just can't get any respect from the people, even if their policies are perfectly decent.

We don't see this in the UK or the US, why in Canada though are Conservative leaders hated so badly?

Answer 1

i see you've never been to the UK or the USA or you wouldn't think the way you do....liberals hate conservatives all over the world with a passion....

Answer 2

Generally, all Prime Ministers wind up hated in some respect.  You can't hold that high of a position and not wind up evoking strong feelings in people, good or bad.

As much as Trudeaumania took over, he was hated by as many people as there were who loved him.  Ask a Conservative what they think of Trudeau...it's not good - and it's not just Conservatives who hated him.

Same with Chretien.

Answer 3

I find that one of the biggest reasons there is so much hatred towards conservative PM's is because they believe in the working class, and making sure that the able-bodied are working towards making this nation a better place, rather than just signing the cheques for hand-outs constantly.  Amongst other issues that seem to rile up the fairly liberal populace would be....

- Conservative policy on trying to tighten up the border and immigration.

- A stout stance on anti-drug policy.

- A standpoint on the military that could be called pro-soldier, given the way that the years of liberal rulership have let our military become a joke after 1945.

Those are just a few key issues that seem to draw ire against the conservatives, their representatives, and their citizen supporters.