**How Canada's Conservatives Lost Their 27-Point Lead in the Latest Election**

**Canada's Conservative party is grappling with its recent loss, particularly as leader Pierre Poilievre lost his own seat, raising questions about party unity and future direction.**

Conservative leaders in Canada are facing intense scrutiny following their election loss on Monday night, a shocking turn after beginning with a commanding 27-point advantage in polls. As the night unfolded, it became clear the Liberal party had secured the win, leaving Conservative candidates and their supporters bewildered. They were left asking, "What went wrong?"

The Conservative party, despite its inability to secure victory for the fourth consecutive election, did achieve a nearly 42% share of the popular vote—its highest since its foundation in 2003. Troublingly for Poilievre, he lost the seat he had held for two decades, casting doubt on his leadership.

"Nobody's happy about that," remarked Shakir Chambers, a Conservative strategist from Ontario. Moving forward, the party needs to establish how to serve as the Official Opposition without their leader in the House. In response, Poilievre plans to run in a special election in Alberta following the resignation of Conservative MP-elect Damien Kurek. He is expected to easily secure a win in this Conservative stronghold, which he believes is crucial for his leadership continuity.

Despite Poilievre's loss, some within the party have expressed strong support for him to retain his leadership. Chambers noted, "Pierre has a lot of support in the caucus," indicating that there isn’t a strong push to replace him. Former party leader Andrew Scheer has also affirmed Poilievre's importance for the future.

On the other hand, blame is circulating within the ranks regarding the party's failures. Jamil Jivani, a newly elected MP, specifically criticized Ontario's leader Doug Ford for distancing from the federal Conservatives, claiming his approach misaligned with national goals. "He couldn't stay out of our business," Jivani stated, attributing part of the responsibility for electoral losses to Ford's divisive public stance.

Adding to the complexity of the scenario, Poilievre has faced significant challenges in gaining popularity among voters. His combative style has not resonated well with a broader Canadian audience, complicating the party's cohesion across provinces where Conservative sentiment varies widely. This division was echoed by Kory Teneycke, Ford's campaign manager, who claimed that Poilievre's campaign tactics alienated potential supporters rather than unifying them.

As questions loom about the Conservatives' future direction and leadership, Poilievre's path forward remains under scrutiny. The upcoming caucus meeting is expected to be pivotal as party members draft plans to negotiate their positioning in Canadian politics amid continuing challenges from the Liberal government.