Leader Stephen Harper and Deputy Leader Peter MacKay denied there's any rift in their party, after the new Conservatives' first policy convention saw a shift to the centre of the political spectrum.

Some of what were once solid values for those from the former Canadian Alliance side of last year's merger seemed to crumble over the weekend, as delegates in Montreal crafted party policy that would appeal to a broader demographic.

Appearing on CTV's Question Period, Harper insisted that he has always considered the party to be a moderate one.

"The problem we've often had is Canadians don't associate our policies with us," he said.

"And obviously that's something we have to continue to work on."

Despite some opposition, 55 per cent of delegates voted in favour of a motion that rejected any new legislation to regulate abortion.

Other points removed from the party's platform were motions calling for elections on fixed dates and referendums for constitutional amendments.

Senator Pierre-Claude Nolin of Quebec told The Canadian Press that the party has re-centred itself.

"It's not a slap (to old Reform ideas)," he said during the convention.

"It's a positive expression that will appeal to all Canadians and also to many Quebecers."

One dispute earlier in the convention highlighted rifts in the party.

The resolution, proposed by Conservative MP Scott Reid, called for Western ridings to get more weighting and more delegates because of their higher membership numbers.

The proposal passed in principle on Friday but was rejected on Saturday.

MacKay was furious that it flew in the face of the agreement that merged the former Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance parties in December 2003, and quickly appeared on TV news programs Friday afternoon and evening to argue against it.

Although Harper said he was "perplexed by the intensity of that debate," he denied any affect on the party's future.

"When we signed the agreement in principle and we formed the convention, we knew that these are precisely the kind of things that would be debated, and I don't think there was anyone in the party that I met whoever thought that this was a make-or-break issue for the party," Harper said.

"Obviously in the end, that particular proposal was voted down...so you know, I think sometimes people get a little bit passionate and heated, maybe a little bit beyond what they should."

Harper didn't identify who he was referring to. But he did try to put rumours to rest suggesting there was a conflict with MacKay.

"I think I have a great relationship with Peter MacKay," he said.

On Sunday, MacKay admitted that the resolution raised his ire: "Certainly there was a lot of passion, a lot of emotion. This was an issue I believe very strongly in that we have to have equal representation across the country."

Although he admitted to feeling strongly on the issue, he too denied any personality clash with Harper.

"I don't see there being a need for reconciliation," he said.

Harper also displayed a rare display of strong emotion when he kicked a chair during the convention but he told CTV's Craig Oliver that he couldn't remember what -- or who -- made him so angry.

"I think I kicked some balloons as well as I recall, and I can't honestly remember, Craig, but I will assure you that it was not you that I was thinking of."

With files from The Canadian Press