[BRIEF NOTE] John Tory is no more
Mar. 6th, 2009 07:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rfmcdonaldThe political career of John Tory, businessman and erstwhile leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party, is no more.
The Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock riding was quite hostile to Tory's parachuting into his community, more than half of party members polled by a local roup saying that they were less likely to vote PC because of the parachuting. Tory only needed to be parachuted because, in the 2007 provincial election, he lost his seat even while the Progressive Conservatives lost the election thanks to his pledge to extend government funding to religious schools. Tory had a hard time finding a member of the provincial parliament willing to give up his or her seat for their feckless leader; surprise.
Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory announced on Friday that he is stepping down, following his bitter by-election defeat.
Mr. Tory said his resignation will take effect following the selection of an interim leader.
“As I said last night, the by-election results are obviously profoundly disappointing,” a sombre Mr. Tory said at a news conference.
Mr. Tory lost in the rural riding of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock to Liberal rival Rick Johnson. Mr. Tory acknowledged that the riding was not his first choice.
Laurie Scott resigned as the Progressive Conservative MPP of the riding to make way for Mr. Tory. Her family has deep roots in the community and she herself was enormously popular.
“We looked for an alternative place to run, as we knew this riding would be challenging,” he said.
Mr. Tory said he decided to run in a bid to regain a seat in the legislature because he believed his experience and background would help overcome criticisms that he was an outsider in the community.
The Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock riding was quite hostile to Tory's parachuting into his community, more than half of party members polled by a local roup saying that they were less likely to vote PC because of the parachuting. Tory only needed to be parachuted because, in the 2007 provincial election, he lost his seat even while the Progressive Conservatives lost the election thanks to his pledge to extend government funding to religious schools. Tory had a hard time finding a member of the provincial parliament willing to give up his or her seat for their feckless leader; surprise.
