Ambrose calls for Tory solidarity as rifts widen

HALIFAX • Rona Ambrose called on Conservatives to remain united Tuesday as the party’s leadership contest ramps up and MPs prepare for the fall parliamentary sitting — but some early rifts between candidates indicate this could be difficult.

Caucus solidarity will be tested as more candidates enter the leadership race and stake out policies that are sometimes at odds with each other and offside with many fellow MPs.

The friction was evident Tuesday on the issue of Kellie Leitch’s proposed “values” test for immigrants, with other leadership candidates suggesting her policy “is not responsible leadership” and was poorly planned.

The contest is quickly moving into a new phase after Peter MacKay’s announcement Monday he won’t run. On Tuesday, former Commons speaker Andrew Scheer took the next step in what will almost certainly be a leadership bid, announcing his resignation as Opposition House leader.

The race is dominating hallway discussion among Conservative MPs and senators at their two-day caucus retreat in Halifax.

Speaking to the gathering, Ambrose stressed the importance of the caucus remaining united.

“Whether new or veteran (parliamentarians), I know we all understand the importance of speaking with one united voice,” she said.

“We’re all realists here. We know that drama drives ratings, that those outside of our party will do everything they can to separate us into separate camps. And friends, our party has been there before, a long, long time ago, and we have no intention of going back.”

Leadership hopefuls Michael Chong and Brad Trost took aim at Leitch’s proposal as poorly thought out.

“This policy clearly, on any quick review, is not workable and nonsense,” Chong said.

“If you frame the debate in negative terms and play to people’s dark fears about immigration, that’s not constructive and that is not responsible leadership,” Chong said.

Trost also didn’t hold back, saying it remains to be seen whether Leitch’s proposal could split the party.

“I don’t think she really thought out what she was doing,” he said. “We have to be careful and I think everyone in this race is going to learn and grow.”