Reform Party founder Preston Manning says when high-profile Conservatives go too far in speaking their minds, they jeopardize support for the Tory party.

Conservatives are attending a weekend conference in Ottawa where they’re discussing how best to sell their political brand to Canadians.

Manning told the gathering yesterday that knowing what not to say is just as important as knowing what to say.

He referred specifically to Tom Flanagan, the veteran Tory strategist who was recently ostracized after he suggested people who look at child porn should not be jailed.