The federal Conservatives have a new leader in Erin O'Toole.

Foothills MP John Barlow says he's excited to have a leader chosen with a strong mandate.

"I think that just shows that the team will get united behind Erin and obviously we've got a big hill to climb and job to do and that's to get Canada back on track and we've got a scandal ridden, corrupt government right now and it's our job to bring them down and I think under Erin O'Toole and the team we have we'll be able to do that," he says.

Barlow had thrown his support behind Peter MacKay and while he says everyone wants their horse to win the race he's happy to see O'Toole in the top job.

From the get-go I would have been happy with either Erin or Peter, both experienced, former cabinet ministers, have performed well in the House and certainly have a strong brand and I'm also really impressed with Leslyn Lewis, how she did," Barlow says. "I don't think not too many of us knew much about her when the campaign started but really impressed with Leslyn through the campaign and I was happy to see her have a strong result, and I really hope she runs as a candidate for us in the next election."

O'Toole said after winning the leadership it would be important to open the tent to other groups, something Barlow agrees with, saying the days of winning the election with 30 or 35 per cent support are over.

He says they need at least 40 per cent.

"To do that we have to find a way to resonate in urban Canadian centres with millenials, new Canadians, visible minorities, these are areas where we need to find a way to expand and we have done it in the past and I certainly think we can do it again."

Barlow is back in his riding and isn't exactly sure how the next Parliament will work, so he's not sure when he'll head back.

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? e-mail news@okotoksonline.com