Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island
. It and its rival, the Liberals
have alternated in power since responsible government
was granted in 1851 and are the only two parties represented in the PEI Legislative Assembly
.
The policies of the Liberals and Conservatives are very similar. The major differences are in their allegiances to federal parties and in personalities. Historically, the Tories originated as the Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island changing their name in 1942 to reflect the development of the federal Progressive Conservative Party
.
Generally, the Conservatives have dominated center policies while the Liberals slightly to the left. Traditionally, the Tories have done better among Protestant voters while Liberals have had more support from Catholics - accordingly, the Conservatives have tended to do slightly better in the easternmost region of the island which is more Protestant while the Liberals have tended to do better on the western end where there are more Catholics. However, politics on the island has never been sectarian and both parties have always had voters and members from both populations. Indeed, it has been the custom until recently for a Liberal incumbent of one denomination to be opposed by a Tory challenger of the same denomination and vice versa and this had tended to minimise religious sectarianism within the parties.
The Progressive Conservatives formed the government in Prince Edward Island under Premier
Pat Binns
, starting in 1996
. The party lost its bid for a fourth mandate
.
In October 2010, following the resignation of former Premier Pat Binns
, a leadership election was held. Jim Bagnall
became interim leader of the party in 2010 when rookie MLA Olive Crane
decided to seek the permanent leadership of the party.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. It and its rival, the Liberals
Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a major political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The PEI Liberals are aligned with the federal Liberal Party of Canada. The party is led by Robert Ghiz, a former member of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office under Prime Minister...
have alternated in power since responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
was granted in 1851 and are the only two parties represented in the PEI Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, along with the Lieutenant-Governor, forms the parliament of the province. The General Assembly meets at Province House, which is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown....
.
The policies of the Liberals and Conservatives are very similar. The major differences are in their allegiances to federal parties and in personalities. Historically, the Tories originated as the Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island changing their name in 1942 to reflect the development of the federal Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
.
Generally, the Conservatives have dominated center policies while the Liberals slightly to the left. Traditionally, the Tories have done better among Protestant voters while Liberals have had more support from Catholics - accordingly, the Conservatives have tended to do slightly better in the easternmost region of the island which is more Protestant while the Liberals have tended to do better on the western end where there are more Catholics. However, politics on the island has never been sectarian and both parties have always had voters and members from both populations. Indeed, it has been the custom until recently for a Liberal incumbent of one denomination to be opposed by a Tory challenger of the same denomination and vice versa and this had tended to minimise religious sectarianism within the parties.
The Progressive Conservatives formed the government in Prince Edward Island under Premier
Premier (Canada)
In Canada, a premier is the head of government of a province or territory. There are currently ten provincial premiers and three territorial premiers in Canada....
Pat Binns
Pat Binns
Patrick George Binns , is a Canadian diplomat who was named Ambassador to Ireland on August 30, 2007.Binns has a long history of public service, most notably being the 30th Premier of Prince Edward Island, holding office from 1996 to 2007, during which time he was the leader of the Prince Edward...
, starting in 1996
Prince Edward Island general election, 1996
thumb|Map of PEI's ridings showing winning parties and their popular vote.The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island conducted a general election on November 18, 1996 to elect the 27 members of the Island legislature...
. The party lost its bid for a fourth mandate
Prince Edward Island general election, 2007
The 63rd Prince Edward Island general election was held on May 28, 2007. It elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada...
.
In October 2010, following the resignation of former Premier Pat Binns
Pat Binns
Patrick George Binns , is a Canadian diplomat who was named Ambassador to Ireland on August 30, 2007.Binns has a long history of public service, most notably being the 30th Premier of Prince Edward Island, holding office from 1996 to 2007, during which time he was the leader of the Prince Edward...
, a leadership election was held. Jim Bagnall
Jim Bagnall
Jim Bagnall is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 1996 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Montague-Kilmuir and is a member of the Progressive Conservative Party...
became interim leader of the party in 2010 when rookie MLA Olive Crane
Olive Crane
Olive Crane is a Canadian politician and social worker from Douglas Station, Prince Edward Island. She is the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island....
decided to seek the permanent leadership of the party.
Past Conservative and PC leaders
|
Reginald Bell Richard Reginald "Reg" Bell was a lawyer, judge and political figure on Prince Edward Island. He represented 2nd Queens in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1944 to 1960 as a Progressive Conservative.... , 1950-1957 Walter Russell Shaw Walter Russell Shaw, was a Prince Edward Island politician.A native of West River, Shaw was educated at Prince of Wales College, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the University of Toronto. On his return to Prince Edward Island, he farmed for several years, becoming a noted livestock breeder... 1957-1970 Melvin McQuaid Melvin James McQuaid was a Progressive Conservative party member of the Canadian House of Commons. He was born in Souris, Prince Edward Island and became a lawyer and clerk by career.... 1972-1976 Leone Bagnall Flora Minnie Leone Bagnall, is a farmer, teacher and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 1979 provincial election, representing the 1st Queens district. She was re-elected in 1982, 1986... 1987-1988 (interim) Melbourne Gass Melbourne Alexander Gass is a businessman and former Canadian politician who served for 9 years as the Member of Parliament for Malpeque... 1988-1990 Pat Mella Patricia Janet Mella was Prince Edward Island PC party leader from 1990 to 1996.She was born Patricia MacDougall in Port Hill, Prince Edward Island and was educated at Saint Dunstan's University and the University of Prince Edward Island. A teacher and lecturer, she married Angelo Mella while... 1990-1996 Pat Binns Patrick George Binns , is a Canadian diplomat who was named Ambassador to Ireland on August 30, 2007.Binns has a long history of public service, most notably being the 30th Premier of Prince Edward Island, holding office from 1996 to 2007, during which time he was the leader of the Prince Edward... 1996-2007 Olive Crane Olive Crane is a Canadian politician and social worker from Douglas Station, Prince Edward Island. She is the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island.... 2007-2010 (interim) Jim Bagnall Jim Bagnall is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 1996 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Montague-Kilmuir and is a member of the Progressive Conservative Party... 2010 (interim) Olive Crane Olive Crane is a Canadian politician and social worker from Douglas Station, Prince Edward Island. She is the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island.... 2010-present |
See also
- Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island leadership elections
- List of Prince Edward Island premiers
- List of political parties in Canada
- Politics of Prince Edward IslandPolitics of Prince Edward IslandThe politics of Prince Edward Island are centred on a provincial government resembling that of the other Canadian provinces. The capital of the province of Prince Edward Island is Charlottetown, where reside the premier, provincial legislature, lieutenant-governor and cabinet.-The...