Populism practised on all political sides

Re: Ontario PCs face their Trumpian moment — which way will they tilt? — March 9

The esteemed Martin Regg Cohn forewarns us of expedient populism. However, he attributes it only to the right. I suspect this is simply because he comes at the issue from the left. The bottom line is that populism is a strategy that everyone participates in from time to time. The important take-aways are when and why.

He suggests there is such a thing as a “truthful populist,” that’s optimistic — at least on a political stage. Due to intractable flaws in leadership campaigns and politics in general, just as in most human activities, a populist approach is often utilized. Regg Cohn points to Donald Trump and Rob Ford, then extended the “populist” accusation to the Ontario PC leadership contest. He neglected to point to Justin Trudeau, particularly in office. Centrist voters are right to be confounded. The PCs leadership candidates all took populist positions to appeal to their base. However, the PCs under Doug Ford may have to moderate to win majority power. Justin Trudeau claimed he would do things differently, was elected to a majority, and has now turned sharply to populism in government to strengthen what he now perceives to be his base. The bottom line is that one must look beyond — where lies the soul? It is rare that you get exactly what you see, hear or read, but it occasionally happens. Voters must seek to be informed and assess critically.

Tom Hiller

Kitchener