The formers were in fine fettle this week. The conservative outfit formerly known as the Manning Centre (now the Canada Strong and Free Network) held its annual forum in Ottawa and the opening act was two former prime ministers, Australia’s Tony Abbott and Britain’s Boris Johnson.

Colby Cosh recently commented here about survey data which shows that progressive political types tend to be less happy than conservatives. Generally true or not, Wednesday’s event was rollicking good fun, with the audience buoyed by Canada’s Conservatives doing well in the polls. The fun that formers furnish — the late George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton took their joint show on the road for years — gave way in Ottawa to something akin to a rally.