A Dalhousie University political science professor says last night’s English language Liberal leadership debate was less a competition than a group of like-minded individuals expressing different priorities.

Lori Turnbull says while Mark Carney’s leadership is looking more and more like a foregone conclusion, the other leadership hopefuls appear to be positioning themselves for various roles within the Liberal caucus.

Turnbull says she was impressed with Frank Baylis’ performance last night.

“He was well-informed, he’s got a plan, he rolled it out, I thought he was excellent,” says Turnbull of Baylis, “but, that’s not what these things are for…Carney’s got a whole machine going” and “he’s very likely to come out of this the winner.”

Last night’s debate began with a conversation about U.S. President Donald Trump. Chrystia Freeland said Canada needs to look for allies among countries like Mexico, Panama and Denmark that are also facing challenges to their sovereignty from the Trump administration.

“We have to form a common front and stop Trump doing what he wants to do, which is pick us off one by one,” said Freeland.

Turnbull says Karina Gould also appears to be differentiating herself from the other leadership hopefuls, delivering a withering jab at Carney by suggesting, “you can’t bring a calculator to a knife fight.”

“I think Gould is positioning herself to be that voice of the left wing of the party,” says Turnbull, “in the event that it does become the Carney Liberal party,” similar to Sheila Copps’ role in the Chretien and Martin governments. “That kind of thing that kept the party balanced. I think that’s where she’s trying to wedge herself in. Her seat is not particularly safe either,” so raising her profile “is a good idea.”