Just what was said about Bernier’s broadside

OTTAWA — Maxime Bernier’s scathing attack Thursday on the Conservative party and leader Andrew Scheer has elicited a range of pointed reactions, including on social media and elsewhere.

A selection of what was said Thursday:

“I have come to realize over the past year that this party is too intellectually and morally corrupt to be reformed.” — Bernier himself in a statement, in which he declared he was quitting the party.

“It is clear that Max never accepted the result of the leadership vote and seeks only to divide Conservatives. His decision today allows the Conservative Party of Canada to move forward united behind our Leader @AndrewScheer.” — Former prime minister Stephen Harper.

“I hope Justin Trudeau and his cabinet colleagues are breaking out the champagne in Nanaimo this morning. Congratulations to @gmbutts & co. who have secured an easy win in 2019 despite a mostly terrible summer.” — Rachel Curran, Harper’s former director of policy.

“He has decided that he is more important than his Conservative colleagues and indeed the Conservative party. He has traded an opportunity to influence policy in government for his own personal ambition.” — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer in Halifax.

“He made a choice a long time ago to put himself first ... If I had someone who made this decision today who was fighting beside me in committee every day, who was helping me out and phoning me like so many of my colleagues do ... I didn’t get calls like that from him so, whatever.” — Conservative MP Michelle Rempel.

“This Conservative caucus is bigger than one. It’s many of us and we are united, we are ready.” — Conservative MP Lisa Raitt.