There’s a widespread view that it wouldn’t be beneficial for the Liberals to change leaders at this time; that a new leader would do just as badly, if not worse, in an election than Justin Trudeau; that Liberal Party members are therefore not acting like cowards in not forcing him out.
Look at the precedents, contend those who subscribe to this line of thinking. John Turner succeeded the highly unpopular Pierre Trudeau in 1984 shortly before an election had to be called, and a debacle ensued; the Liberals were reduced to 40 seats. Kim Campbell became Conservative leader in 1993 replacing the much-loathed Brian Mulroney at the end of his second mandate, and an even worse shellacking followed: the Tories were obliterated, winning only two ridings.
