It's not as if our party has a leadership campaign underway.

We have to stress our conservative credentials and emphasize that we are the natural, national alternative to the Liberals. Clearly the Alliance has shown it can't break out of its Western box. The Alliance is at single-digit support in three quarters of the country.

We have to be focused on growing the party and getting young people to see us as a viable option.

I don't think we're ever going to be in a position where we can say this is the template, this is the checklist, that must be met [for intervention].

My gut tells me and continues to tell me that the Conservative party is on a road back to government.

I find happiness comes from numerous sources in my life. Most often, the happy moments I cherish most are quiet moments with my wife and family back home in Nova Scotia.

I feel guilty about spending so much time away from home and loved ones.