[Fuzz]

Conservatism is as much a mode of politics as it is a coherent belief system. Rather than attaching themselves to notions like liberalism, libertarianism, order and liberty, most Albertans treat their conservatism as a matter of temperament instead of an ideology.

Which takes us to the current moment.

Danielle Smith is not a temperamental conservative. Indeed, she is rarely an ideological conservative. Instead, her politics amount to libertarian-laced populism, directly opposed to the sort of principled, incrementalist politics Albertans have appreciated from conservative governments in the past.

By contrast, Danielle Smith’s approach — her inconsistent libertarianism — has been to grow government indiscriminately. Hers is the largest cabinet in the history of the province. Her 2023 budget reversed many of her party’s fiscal gains, boosting spending by 10 per cent. Even traditional allies criticize the plan as unconservative. It is telling that the most temperamental conservative in her cabinet presented it … and then promptly departed.

Conservatives are also guardians against government overreach. Smith’s choice to threaten and limit journalists brushes aside freedom of the press. Her intervention with an individual facing criminal charges shows a casual disregard for legal and political norms. And her approach to involuntary addictions treatment appears to trample on Albertans’ Charter rights.

https://theline.substack.com/p/jared...en-boessenkool

Really worth reading the whole thing on why just voting blue this time is not voting Conservative.