Truly to capture the spirit of this great nation, the Conservatives have to accomplish four things:

• appeal to an underlying set of Canadian values.

• select a wise leader of great and appealing character.

•establish relevant goals that reflect Canadians’ common sense.

• enhance the power of MPs.

Tories across Canada are warming to the opportunity to achieve these things as they absorb the lessons from their election loss, and gain steam in anticipation of a pivotal time in their history: last month’s Manning Institute conference, and other discussions leading up to May’s national party convention.

People in my riding had provided me a large majority of votes in 2008 and 2011, yet voted last October overwhelmingly for my Liberal opponent. Many said they strongly approved my work as their MP but, as has been well documented, voted on their choice of party leader and against Stephen Harper, above all other factors.

The result seemed unjust to those of us who admire the former prime minister for his masterful leadership of the economy. But to dwell on that would miss the point that struck me most powerfully during the 78-day long campaign — that people would not re-elect solid, productive and reliable Conservative MPs, but would instead weight their votes to oust Harper.

People long to see key values reflected in the party that leads them: freedom, responsibility, equality, compassion and integrity. The Tories lost the battle when people decided that under the current leadership the party no longer stood for those values.

To win people’s hearts, the party should establish a term limit for a leader who serves as prime minister. By doing so, the party can be renewed and reinvigorated at least every eight years. History has proven that any leader will outwear his or her welcome, such as Winston Churchill did in England after the Second World War.

To persuade Canadians that Conservatives stand for responsibility, we in the party need to make clear and attainable commitments on the environment, indeed to show that “the environment is the economy.” Conservatives did not focus exclusively on the economy but at times Canadians felt the party displayed a tin ear to matters of the environment, waterways, fisheries and salmon.

Wise leadership means promoting equality among all Canadians, regardless of race, recent or original immigration, faith or other distinctions. As between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, this means proceeding with bold vision to resolve outstanding claims, while acting consistent with principles of self-sufficiency, certainty, accountability, transparency, equality, and reconciliation.

Conservative need to refresh their commitment to treaty-making by offering incentives for those aboriginal communities that engage earnestly to settle treaties within designated time frames. No over zealous statements that imply sovereignty for aboriginal communities; most aboriginal Canadians, like non-aboriginal Canadians cherish their citizenship and their equality.

Compassion was missing in the Conservative dialogue during Campaign 2015. Yes, Conservatives care about single parents, low-income families, human trafficking, sex slavery, people addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, hungry children and other struggling Canadians, but need to make compassion more evident.