OTTAWA — Jenni Byrne, a key advisor to Pierre Poilievre, has shared her thoughts on the Conservative Party's recent election loss. This marks her first extensive commentary since the April 28 federal election, where the party failed to unseat the Liberals. Byrne, known for her influential role in Poilievre's rise in popularity, has faced criticism for the party's performance in the election.

In a recent episode of the Beyond a Ballot podcast hosted by Rachael Segal, Byrne discussed her experiences and reflections on the campaign. She emphasized that, in hindsight, she believes little could have changed the election's outcome. "I have a few do overs. None of them, I think, would have changed the outcome," she stated. Byrne suggested that the election's focus on U.S. President Donald Trump may have played into the Liberals' strategy. "I think if we had gone down that road, it would have been an extremely bad mistake," she said, referring to a potential shift in campaign focus.

Byrne identified two main regrets: recognizing earlier that Poilievre might lose his longtime riding of Carleton and making different decisions regarding budgeting and campaign issues. She also addressed perceptions of her leadership style, asserting that she did not run the campaign alone. "If they think that I was like a one-person machine... then they don’t know how campaigns are run," she explained. Byrne acknowledged that while some view her as aggressive, she believes she has mellowed over the years.

Looking ahead, Byrne announced that she will not serve as the campaign manager for the next election. After significant roles in the 2011, 2015, and 2021 elections, she plans to step back from daily operations. "I’ve stepped back from the day to day and I’m not going to run the next campaign," she said, expressing surprise at the attention she has received since the election.

Byrne also revealed her discomfort with large crowds, despite Poilievre's ability to draw thousands to his rallies. "I think I’m actually, on a personal level, pretty much of a homebody. I don’t like going out in crowds," she admitted. Additionally, she shared her support for the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, a surprising detail for someone from Fenelon Falls, Ontario.

Finally, Byrne clarified that she had no influence over Poilievre's recent image change, which included his decision to stop wearing glasses. "Literally nothing to do with me," she said, noting that Poilievre's wife, Anna, prefers him without glasses.

Byrne's insights provide a glimpse into the challenges faced by the Conservative Party and her role within it as they prepare for future elections.