In Canada, it is widely assumed that the Liberal Party would benefit most from a ranked ballot election. The assumption that the majority of people are left wing, although split (unevenly) between the Liberals and the more extreme New Democratic Party, is not off base. This is interpreted to mean that Liberals would have an advantage because NDP supporters would naturally choose them as a second choice, at least outside of Quebec, rather than vote for Conservatives on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Capturing more second choice votes would necessitate a shift to the political centre by the Conservatives, who still count on support from right-wing social conservatives who are at odds with most Canadians' values. I wonder if this might/should lead to Conservatives splitting into two different parties with one representing the more social conservative values. While this may look bad for Conservatives from the outset, it would mirror the NDP/Liberal situation on the left with the same potential benefits. While unburdening the mainstream Conservative Party from having to answer publicly for the more unpalatable so-con values, this set up will also virtually guarantee second-choice votes from social conservatives. Indeed the social conservatives as a party may bring more voters to the polls, voter who did not feel represented by any party previous.
Thoughts?