The Conservative candidate in Scarborough-Guildwood bid farewell to supporters, Monday night, on this his final attempt to upset the Liberal stronghold in the riding.
Chuck Konkel conceded to Liberal incumbent John McKay at an election night reception at the JC Banquet Hall in Scarborough. Konkel, who earned 26.5 per cent of the vote to McKay’s 60 per cent, thanked supporters for their commitment during one of the longest campaigns in Canada’s history.
“The candidate gets the rainbow. The volunteers get the pain and you folks did it for nothing and that takes a lot of courage. God Bless you all, that’s it for me,” Konkel signed off in what he said was his final address as Conservative candidate.
Konkel and McKay have battled through the past three consecutive federal elections, each with very narrow margins of victory.
Idee Inyangudor, Konkel’s campaign manager, addressed this parting message to Konkel.
“I want to tell you heads up, head high. You ran a great campaign. … I will go to battle with you again anytime,” he said.
Konkel offered what he cited as steps the Conservative party will take of the next four years to strengthen their political framework.
“If you really believe the Conservative party is dead, get another life because long after I am off the political stage, someone else will come in here,” he said. “Someone else will give you vision and focus and democracy. And take us back to where we should be.”