Blaming Donald Trump for conservative losses in both Canada and Australia is being too kind to Peter Dutton

Australia’s federal election, following closely after Canada’s, has resulted in a surprisingly similar outcome, drawing global attention for the parallels observed. Both countries witnessed a turnaround for their center-left governments, which were previously facing significant challenges. The Coalition in Australia was leading Labor in polls, while Canada’s Liberals saw a drop in support compared to the Conservatives. However, both governments now celebrate historic victories, with conservative opposition leaders losing their seats in both countries.

The influence of US President Donald Trump was evident in both elections, with Trump’s actions impacting the electoral outcomes. In Australia, the Coalition’s fate in the polls seemed to have been affected by Trump’s tariff announcements and his interactions with Ukraine’s president. Similarly, in Canada, Trump presented himself as a threat to the nation’s well-being.

The differences in electoral systems between Canada and Australia played a significant role in shaping the outcomes. Canada lacks preferential voting, leading to strategic voting patterns that benefited the Liberals over the left-wing NDP. The NDP suffered losses in the recent election, while the Conservatives maintained a strong voter share. The Conservatives’ performance was commendable, despite falling short of a majority, while the Liberals faced challenges despite winning the popular vote.

In Canada, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre faced criticism for his response to Trump’s influence, while Peter Dutton’s campaign in Australia was described as “shambolic.” Dutton’s leadership approach and failure to address key issues led to significant losses for the Coalition, including his own seat. Dutton’s alignment with the global populist right, similar to Trump, contributed to his party’s decline in urban areas.

The outcomes of the Australian and Canadian elections underscore the impact of global political dynamics and strategic voting patterns on electoral results, highlighting the challenges faced by conservative parties in navigating changing political landscapes.