What Bernier left behind was a heavy accent on small government politics that no successor should ignore if they wish to provide a sustainable alternative to the, yes, 'retail' politics of Trudeau's Liberals.  

Conservatives are not the only Canadians to understand that 'retail' means paying top price for pre-packaged snacks, and too often, the kind of bait-and-switch antics that have left many Liberal voters waiting in line, empty-handed and unable to find any competent assistance.

With each spending boondoggle, wheel-spinning national inquiry and debt swelling indulgence, Liberals are walking a thin plank, and a thrift minded Conservative leader will look very appealing to voters who plan to do something other than pay taxes..