Those Wildrose candidates should have challenged the PC constituents and run on their principals as did PC’s MLA’s

Two Conservatives Parties - not needed

By Guest Column L. G. Anderson (Bio and Archives)  Tuesday, April 24, 2012 | Print friendly | Subscribe | Email Us

After the stunning victory of the PC’s over the Wildrose, I keep hearing the same question repeatedly “What happened?” or “The Wildrose had great poll numbers, what happened?”

As the analysis continues on what happened, I would suggest that polling is really just a statistical guess.

While no one has really figured out why the thousands who voted PC rather than the new upcoming Wildrose Party it is pretty clear to me and the reason I voted for the PC’s.

Alberta has NO ROOM for TWO Conservative parties. That is like a redundant mandate of two tug-a-war parties. We have an established Conservative Party that many suggest has run out of ideas, is corrupt, lacks this and lacks that. The Wildrose Leader maintained that her party was FRESH, energetic, accountable, smart, eager and will meet ALL the needs of Albertans. Her political record does not suggest she has any level of competence so where does this criticism come from?

So, given that scenario, why did so many Albertans return to the PC Party despite all the bad press they received including breaking promises and payouts to NON attending committee members?

We don’t need TWO CONSERVATIVE PARTIES IN ALBERTA. If the Wildrose Leader is a true conservative, she should have challenged the leadership when Ed Stelmach stepped down and sway the party to a NEW VISION. Those Wildrose candidates should have challenged the PC constituents and run on their principals as did PC’s MLA’s. The challenge should have occurred within the Conservative party at the GRASS ROOTS level – new challengers who say, I am new, I have good ideas, and I want to ensure integrity of governance and return to Conservative Principals.

It is only then that there will be a change. Two Conservative Parties in Alberta is counterproductive. Why Daniel Smith did NOT enter the leadership race that Alison Redford won is a concern. If she were a true conservative, I would suggest that that is the road she should have followed.

L. G. Anderson
Spruce Grove, AB