The Globe and Mail stirred controversy on Friday by publishing an editorial endorsement that backed the Conservative party in Monday’s federal election, as long as Stephen Harper steps down after the vote.

The editorial described the culture of the federal government under Harper as “rotten,” but said his party deserves another shot at power.

It was unsparing in its criticism of the Conservative leader, however, condemning his “narrowness of vision” and “meanness of spirit” on issues ranging from voting rights and his law-and-order agenda, to his treatment of the nation’s scientific community and judiciary.

“The topper,” according to the article, has been the Harper campaign’s descent into an “American-style, culture war over niqabs and ‘barbaric cultural practices.’ ”

“The spectacle of a prime minister seemingly willing to say anything, or demonize anyone, in an attempt to get re-elected has demeaned our politics,” the editorial declared.

But while asserting that after nine years of Harper’s government, Canadians have a “well-founded desire for change,” the editorial argued that the Conservatives’ economic record was “solid,” and the need for financial stability trumped the benefits that would come with throwing out the Tory government.

“It is not time for the Conservatives to go. But it is time for Mr. Harper to take his leave,” the editorial stated, and called on Harper to “quickly resign” after the Oct. 19 vote so that Tories could build a more inclusive party. It did not say which Conservative MP should replace him as prime minister.

The editorial was mocked by Twitter users, who accused the Globe of taking a contradictory position and cracked jokes under the hashtag #OtherGlobeEndorsements.

“We endorse the rock, not roll,” wrote Chris Turner. “I endorse Tom Petty, but not the Heartbreakers,” quipped @knightgroove.

Globe editor-in-chief David Walmsley did not immediately return the Star’s request for comment on Friday evening. But in a Facebook question-and-answer session earlier in the day, he explained the thinking behind the endorsement, which he said had been his decision.

“The half-heartedness (of the editorial) is a sign of the weakness of the political candidates. It would be great to find a clear obvious winner the country could unite behind, but we don’t have that at the moment,” he wrote in response to one Facebook user.

“We endorse the economic stewardship of the Conservatives not the divisiveness,” he told another.

The Globe was hardly the only Canadian newspaper that saw fit to back Harper’s Conservatives. This week, publications run by Postmedia, which owns more than 40 daily newspapers across the country, began posting editorials supportive of the Tories that also cited the party’s economic credentials as its main strength.

As of Friday night, Postmedia’s flagship publication, the National Post, had yet to run an endorsement.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

In the run-up to an election, newspaper editorial pages traditionally carry endorsements that outline which candidate the papers’ editors or publishers believe is the best to hold power.

On Oct. 9, the Star endorsed Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

Read more about: