[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Cal-Gal

This is a very good characterization....and if I may take your lead... I'd submit there are about 5 kinds of Conservatives in Canada as well - also covering the spread on ideology. The list is simplified, but from my vantage point, you have:

So-Cons: The Social Conservatives - also categorized as the hard-core Right-Wingers. The "church-basement" members of the party, who are anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage....the equivalent of the "value voters" of the US.

Libertarians: Who are not really Conservatives at all, but they find a home with the Conservative party. They believe in low taxes (or no taxes), and less government (or minimal government). They believe in Free Enterprise, and privitization - they generally don't care about social issues - for example - they neither support nor oppose gay marriage because they generally believe that governments should be out of the business of marriage all together.

Blue Tories: I would suggest that this is the largest faction of Conservatives. They are somewhat socially conservative, but are much more focussed on fiscal issues. And in places like Alberta and Ontario they believe in provincial autonomy - they want lower taxes and less government like the Libertarians...but they see the need for governments in terms of a strong National Defence, and stronger criminal justice.

Red Tories: is a bit of a misnomer, because its often seen as a derogatory term amongst Conservatives...but these would be the equivalent of Thunderball's 'Moderate Liberals'. They are socially quite progressive, but still have a slight right-slant on economic policies.

Old-Boy's Club Tories: I would count people like Mulroney in this club, and like the "Power Liberals" they really are a formidable machine. They wield enormous influence in this country - in terms of both business and political spheres. There is alot of cake in Conservative coffers that has come from these boys. Its this group that so frustrated some Western conservatives that led to the formation of the Reform party in the 80s.

That looks about right, nicely done.