O'TOOLE'S LEADERSHIP PUT TO THE TEST

With an election that could come any month now, the Conservatives have been essentially flat in national public polling since the fall, persistently stuck well back of the Liberals even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under withering criticism over vaccine supply delays. Trudeau’s favourability rating has taken a five-point hit, according to the newest Angus Reid survey — but O’Toole’s favourability still fares worse.

What’s more troubling for O’Toole is the increasing unrest among Conservative MPs, grumbling that has been making its way into the media. There’s a disconnect between O’Toole, who believes the party is in good shape electorally, and some members of caucus who feel the party is floundering and would get clobbered in an election held soon.

O’Toole’s critics say his leadership style has proven to be top-down and over-confident, and that he’s plowed ahead with sharp changes in the party’s messaging that his own caucus and base haven’t been prepared for.

They’re concerned about the election strategy, arguing it’s shown no signs of success so far, and they worry the party is moving too far away from core conservative principles. The removal of Pierre Poilievre from the high-profile finance critic role struck some as a foreboding sign that fiscal conservatism is being de-emphasized, and there is suspicion over how far O’Toole is preparing to go in overhauling the party’s environmental platform.