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There may be something about Tim Hudak that will prevent him from becoming premier of Ontario. But on the history of his predecessors, the ones who made it, he seems like a reasonable bet for that old gamble that it’s never really over in politics. He took the leadership in 2009 with nearly 40% of the votes against Frank Klees 32%. It wasn’t a romp but it was respectable. The 1961 balloting that elected the historic John Robarts went all night in six bitterly fought ballots with Robarts trailing his chief opponent Kelso Roberts on the first ballot. Robarts finally won 976 to Roberts 633. Many people forget that William Davis had to battle through four ballots to win the a victory over Allan Lawrence in 1971. Of course a triumph in a general election has been more elusive for recent PC leaders. But Mike Harris did it in 1995 and he got re-elected in 1999. When he beat Dianne Cunningham for the leadership in 1990 many party members thought Harris was a permanent also-ran. He lost the general election of that year. His performance overall before he became Premier in 1995 looks a lot like Hudak’s. That’s some reason for the present PC leader to hope his long pilgrimage will find grace with the people at the next election. From left Tim Hudak, Mike Harris, William Davis, John Robarts.
