Letter: Is this the end of the merge?

By Letter to the Editor on May 25, 2022.

Dear editor,

Premier Jason Kenney is temporary now. The vote put him over the threshold, but 51.4% is insufficient to address the divisions in the party. They would have continued. He made the right choice.

The next leader will have the challenges of unifying the members, identifying the governing team for the short term and readying/leading the party into the next election. Fewer than 12 months remain. This person will need extraordinary energy, well-developed skills and considerable political know-how to be successful.

Why did Kenney’s leadership come to this end? His efforts to unite the parties into the UCP, to build an organization and to win the last provincial election were no small feat. Then his government encountered a collapse in revenues from the energy sector and the COVID pandemic further complicated the situation.

Many theories are expressed. His government made mistakes and/or handled poorly main issues, for example, doctors’ fees, the school curricula and caucus/party leadership. Two groups were also unrelenting to the handling of the pandemic, for more restrictions/controls and for no interference with personal freedoms.

But, was it governance contributing to this internal strife, or was it more about the differences between the two factions in the party? The vocal opposition to Kenney’s leadership mainly came from the Wildrose people, Brian Jean, Danielle Smith, Drew Barnes, Todd Loewen, Leela Aheer and Angela Pitt. Did this faction use the missteps for their motive to get back control of the party?

Jean and Smith announced their aspirations even before the vote. Jean ran his re-election on getting Kenney dumped so he could become leader. Smith wants forgiveness for she has changed. She also encourages Barnes to be a candidate. Now they all want everybody to shelve the past and to be a unified party.

Evidently her limited knowledge about leadership and political know-how hasn’t changed. Criticizing Jason Kenney regularly isn’t a qualification for leadership. Neither is longevity as an MLA without any worthwhile accomplishments.

The UCP members will have to decide. A shift to Wildrose leadership will also mean the same in policy. Rural Albertans may be supportive, but the urban centres with a majority of the seats will be reluctant.

This means more votes for the NDP. It is also an excellent opportunity for the Alberta Party to develop policies to appeal to moderate conservatives. It is very likely the end of the merge. The UCP becomes the Wildrose.

This resignation may be the least acrimonious event. The choice of the next leader, the policy direction and the results in the next election are much bigger issues, and they will foretell the future.

Larry Samcoe

Medicine Hat

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