We should remember that the Conservative Party is a product of a shotgun wedding between the Reform Party and the Progressive Conservatives. There are seething tensions within that union, that have been held in check, by both sides in the interests of gaining a majority. But it is the Reformers who are holding the gun. And Harpers style.. intimidating, dictatorial, secretive, exclusive.. is going to do nothing but exacerbate those.
It'll take a year or so to develop, for factions to form, but form they will.. because Harper is a radical NEO conservative, a libertarian, an anti-nationalist, and anti-federalist. That is antithetical to the roots of the Conservative policies in John A. MacDonald's national and federal policies.
I remember how Maggie Thatcher was unceremoniously dumped by her party, or BC Premier Gordon Campbell recently when they decided to rule by fiat rather than consent of their caucuses. I think it'll happen again.. not on long gun registration or the omnibus crime bill.. but on fundamental issues of the economic integrity of Canada, and of an equitable sharing of the nation's wealth. These are anathemas to Harpers agenda.