Canada 1979: Trudeau v. Mulroney

[DC Al Fine]

Well for one, Trudeau wouldn't have changed his mind about retiring. Another few names to throw out there for Liberal leader:
1) Jean Chretien
2) Lloyd Axworthy
3) Allan MacEachen (maybe)

Mulroney would either be a 1-termer or 3 termer in my mind. If Chretien were Liberal leader, the losses in English Canada wouldn't be offset by Quebec pickups, so I can see Mulroney as yet another 1-majority Tory. Otherwise, I say he ekes out a win in the mid 80's and then get's another win around the same time as the free trade election.

Another possible consequence would be that without the NEP, western alienation doesn't have quite the same base, so the PC's don't lose quite so badly, and Reform doesn't fare quite so well when the PC government goes down.

[DC Al Fine]

Somehow I don't see the CBC portraying Mulroney as "the great statesman", but it would be interesting to see who the left would lionize in Trudeau's absence.

I just thought of a long ranging consequence. Mediocre PM Trudeau means Justin is not thought of as a saviour like he is now. Liberals have zero chance at comeback instead of the poor shot they have now.