One-Quarter See Conservatives More Positively Post-Leadership

One-Quarter See Conservatives More Positively Post-Leadership

Toronto, June 12^th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ amongst 1483 Canadian voters, more than a quarter (27%) say that the Conservative leadership race had a positive effect on their opinion of the Conservative party, with 2 in 10 (20%) saying it had a negative effect on their view of the party. The plurality (45%), however, said the leadership race had no effect on their opinion. Fewer than 1 in 10 (8%) said they do not know.

Respondents most likely to say the race had a positive effect on their opinion include those aged 65+ (40%) and males (33%). (13%) of Liberals and (13%) of New Democrats said their opinion of the Conservatives became more positive, compared to (61%) of Conservatives who said their opinions improved.

Respondents most likely to say the race had a negative effect on their opinion include those aged 34 or younger (29%), the wealthiest (29%), living in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (24%), Alberta (25%), or BC (24%), with a post-graduate degree (26%).

Andrew Scheer’s election not driving voters to the Tories

The election of Andrew Scheer as the leader of the Conservative Party has had little-effect on their electoral fortunes thus far, for good or ill. One quarter (24%) say they are more likely to vote Conservative, one-quarter (24%) say they are less likely to vote Conservative, and the plurality’s opinion doesn’t change (42%). Just over 1 in 10 (11%) say they do not know whether Andrew Scheer will affect their vote.

Respondents most likely to say they are more likely to vote Conservative because of Scheer include those aged 65+ (34%), males (28%), earning $80,000-$100,000 (27%) or the most wealthy (25%), living in Alberta (33%), and with some college/university (29%), with almost 6 in 10 (59%) of those identifying themselves as Conservatives saying they are now more likely to vote Conservative.

Respondents most likely to say they are less likely to vote Conservative because of Scheer include those aged 34 or younger (28%), living in Ontario (27%) or BC (29%), and a post-graduate degree (30%).

“Andrew Scheer’s election thus far has had little effect on his opinion amongst the public at large, with a generally muted response overall. However, his leadership is strongly resonating with Conservative partisans, who are clearly energized by it,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.