red tory

In Canadian politics, a conservative party member who traditionally leans more towards the left ("red;" socialist) than the so-called "blue tories." Red Tory vs Blue Tory tension has been visible since the days of confederation. The red vs blue rift was most visible from 1987-2003 when blue tories upset with Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative policies split off into a more hardline conservative party, the Reform Party, and its successor, the Alliance. This proved to ultimately weaken support in parliament for the right as the vote was now split between two right-wing parties. The Progressives and the Alliance were finally reunited in 2003 as the Conservative Party of Canada, although with largely blue tory ideals.