Ideology not guiding Alberta voters, CBC poll shows
Left-right political spectrum more important for men than women
Brooks DeCillia CBC News
Whereas pitched battles over ideology tore families — and even countries — apart in the past, a new poll done for CBC News reveals only about one third of Albertans believe the left-right distinction remains meaningful anymore.
For a majority of Albertans — 62 per cent — ideology likely won't play a role in deciding who to vote for in the coming spring election.
Return on Insight's (ROI) telephone survey for CBC found that the ideological left-right spectrum is somewhat more important to voters in Calgary, compared to Edmonton and voters outside Alberta's two major cities.
The poll also shows Wildrose supporters, and older voters, believe left-right is more meaningful.
As well, ideology tends to matter more to Alberta men (41 per cent) compared to women (35 per cent)...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...-roi-poll.html
I've long felt that federally, regional alliance and a convergance of policy between the federal conservatives and liberals have pushed ideologically-driven people to the fringes.
In Alberta the popularity of the likes of Nenshi and Redford seems to signal a shift toward more pragmatic, centrist, less ideologically-driven leadership. Then again, perhaps it's long been this way in Alberta politics. Peter Lougheed has always argued that you must govern from the centre in Alberta, because that's where the population is.
Discuss.