OTTAWA — Jenni Byrne has announced she will not serve as the campaign manager for the Conservative Party in the upcoming federal election. Byrne, who held the position this spring, will continue to advise party leader Pierre Poilievre.

Byrne has a history of managing campaigns, including those for former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2011 and 2015. Her decision comes amid criticism from some party members following the Conservatives' fourth consecutive election defeat to the Liberals. Since April 28, calls for her dismissal have increased among party supporters.

In a recent interview on the podcast Beyond a Ballot, which aims to encourage more women to engage in politics, Byrne discussed her views on the campaign strategies. She defended the choice not to center the Conservative campaign around U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs, stating it was the correct decision.

Byrne attributed the Liberals' victory to Prime Minister Mark Carney's misleading claims about his negotiation skills with Trump. She emphasized that the Conservatives were able to maintain their voter base, as indicated by polls from January.

Byrne's departure marks a significant change for the Conservative Party as it prepares for the next election cycle.