New merger could rock Alberta

[First Lady]

New merger could rock Alberta

Roy Clancy
Fri, January 4, 2008

The Progressive Conservatives haven't fretted much about the fringe parties on the right wing of Alberta's political spectrum.
But they could soon be peering nervously over their shoulders if two of these parties successfully pull off a merger this month.
The Alberta Alliance Party, represented in the legislature by lone MLA Paul Hinman, and the recently formed Wildrose Party of Alberta announced a plan yesterday to unite their organizations.
If members of the parties OK the plan in a vote set for Jan. 19, the groups claim they could be ready for an election in February.
If the new party, to be called the Wildrose Alliance, can manage to fulfil this ambitious plan, it could have ramifications for other political parties in Alberta.
Many traditional PC voters in the last election showed their displeasure with the Tories by staying away from the polls.
The Liberals have been the beneficiaries. But that could change if a credible party emerges to the right of the Conservatives.
This could result in more seats for the fledgling party, or more Liberals elected as Conservatives split their vote.
Hinman, who would be the leader of the new Wildrose Alliance, is the grandson of Ted Hinman, who was a cabinet minister in the Social Credit government of Ernest Manning.
Anyone who doubts the influence of the hard right grassroots in this province need only look at the success of Tory leadership candidate Ted Morton, who effectively dashed the hopes of moderate frontrunner Jim Dinning and cleared the path for Ed Stelmach's surprising win.
Those grassroots aren't exactly enamoured with Stelmach's government, particularly the new royalty regime.
While a last-minute merger likely won't allow enough time for voters to assess the competence and credibility of this new party before a predicted spring vote, it could represent a seismic shift in Alberta's political landscape in years to come.

http://www.edmontonsun.com:80/Commen...52112-sun.html

[peter12]

1 seat + 0 seats = no new seats.

Wildrose and Alliance have a long way to go before they make a dent in the cities.

What's the Alliance's environmental platform like?

[Cheese]

hmmm...only in Alberta? Another conservative horse of a different color? I wonder how many conservative partys a Province can have before its diluted enough to get a Liberal majority?

[REDVAN]

If I don't want to vote PC then I won't vote, it's pretty simple.

[Resolute 14]

I had never even heard of the Wild Rose party before this merger was announced. This merger is little more than two chess club geeks inviting a third to join them, and plotting the destruction of the jocks. No matter how you cut it, the jocks still get the girls.

[jamesteterenko]

As far as I can tell, the Wild Rose party was started this last summer by people that did not feel that the Alberta Alliance Party would get anywhere. So, this is getting the Alliance party back to the support they had in 2004. They still don't have much support to get more than a seat or two, unless I am missing something.

James

[burn_this_city]

I dont think liberals will ever be a palatable alternative, so perhaps these fringe parties will gain seats with the downturn in conservative popularity.. I personally wouldnt mind a change.. But I sure wouldnt want Kevin Taft and the rest of the liberals clowns running the show... Ingenius quotes like "We'd implement the royalty review exactly as it was" definately don't lead me to have alot of faith in the other mainstream party..

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I dont think liberals will ever be a palatable alternative, so perhaps these fringe parties will gain seats with the downturn in conservative popularity.. I personally wouldnt mind a change.. But I sure wouldnt want Kevin Taft and the rest of the liberals clowns running the show... Ingenius quotes like "We'd implement the royalty review exactly as it was" definately don't lead me to have alot of faith in the other mainstream party..

While you have a legitimate reason for not voting Liberal, I think there is a significant segment that will never vote for them just because of the name. Vote for (or against) parties based on their policies, not their name.

[Ozy_Flame]

Oh great. More conservatism in Alberta.....Well, at least they're getting organzed. :S

[llama64]

What is the difference between the Liberals and PC's in Alberta? Not much beyond the name.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see the Liberal party gain some prominence in the next election. I doubt they will ever see governance with Taft at the helm but it's not outside the realm of possibility. Taft is a great mind but a lousy political leader from what I've seen.

The new party won't get anywhere unless they somehow duplicate Preston Manning's populist success. I think Alberta has changed significantly since the late 80's early 90's so I am really curious to see how far this new party gets. My guess, not far. Most people in urban centres will dismiss them as an Alberta separatist party, which isn't fair or true. So if they do get some seats, it will be purely in rural areas without a lot of influence. Just my thoughts.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by llama64

What is the difference between the Liberals and PC's in Alberta? Not much beyond the name.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see the Liberal party gain some prominence in the next election. I doubt they will ever see governance with Taft at the helm but it's not outside the realm of possibility. Taft is a great mind but a lousy political leader from what I've seen.

The new party won't get anywhere unless they somehow duplicate Preston Manning's populist success. I think Alberta has changed significantly since the late 80's early 90's so I am really curious to see how far this new party gets. My guess, not far. Most people in urban centres will dismiss them as an Alberta separatist party, which isn't fair or true. So if they do get some seats, it will be purely in rural areas without a lot of influence. Just my thoughts.

I'm not sure about that, Taft may be a smart guy but like you said he's a terrible politician, I also think his parties policies are flawed... Theres must be some pretty good reasons why they've never won in Alberta.. How about a Social Credit comeback?? They ran the province for 30 years but never mounted a revival after the conservatives swept into power. Last I heard they still had candidates in most ridings..

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by llama64

I wouldn't be too surprised to see the Liberal party gain some prominence in the next election. I doubt they will ever see governance with Taft at the helm but it's not outside the realm of possibility. Taft is a great mind but a lousy political leader from what I've seen.

I would not be at all surprised if the Liberals absolute numbers remain exactly where it was for the last election. Any gains the Liberals make will be off of what the Alliance can cyphon away from Stelmach, coupled with a high number of people who are of the "PCs or not voting at all" mindset.

[Mickey76]

Alberta Alliance will have to shake the stigma that they are the Mormon Party of Alberta. I know last election I had many conversations with people who are tired of the conservatives, will never vote liberal, but viewed the Alberta Alliance and Thorsteinsen (sp?) with extreme suspicion. It may be unfair and backwards but I believe it to be a political reality.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by peter12

What's the Alliance's environmental platform like?

I'm guessing they stand somewhere between Rape and Pillage on that spectrum.

[Thunderball]

The next dominant Alberta party is going to look a lot like this:

- Fiscal Conservative

- Socially Moderate/Neutral on personal liberties, harsh on crime. Unwilling to force morals on the citizenry, be it leftist or right wing.

- Substantial Environmental policy with teeth to all Albertans, including First Nations. This policy will be relatively tough, but not economy wrecking.

- Urban focused. Rural issues dominate the PC party, and foolish decisions follow, including mindless nitpicking with the municipalities over funding. Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray are experiencing enormous growth that the Province should be aiding, not hindering. These cities fuel the provincial engine, not Vegreville, Rocky Mountain House and Hanna.

- Willing to take an aggressive stance on public healthcare. Throwing money until the system or the coffers collapse is not health policy, nor is playing chicken with private healthcare that few understand, and in turn ignorantly misinterpret as "US style healthcare" rather than something more European in nature. Focus on preventative healthcare, align premiums with lifestyle choices (like an insurance company), and attract (and retain) the best and brightest for all.

Essentially, if the "Wildrose Alliance" merged with the Liberal Party.

[Table 5]

^^^ I'd vote for that. And I think a lot of others would to.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

The next dominant Alberta party is going to look a lot like this:

- Fiscal Conservative

- Socially Moderate/Neutral on personal liberties, harsh on crime. Unwilling to force morals on the citizenry, be it leftist or right wing.

- Substantial Environmental policy with teeth to all Albertans, including First Nations. This policy will be relatively tough, but not economy wrecking.

- Urban focused. Rural issues dominate the PC party, and foolish decisions follow, including mindless nitpicking with the municipalities over funding. Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray are experiencing enormous growth that the Province should be aiding, not hindering. These cities fuel the provincial engine, not Vegreville, Rocky Mountain House and Hanna.

- Willing to take an aggressive stance on public healthcare. Throwing money until the system or the coffers collapse is not health policy, nor is playing chicken with private healthcare that few understand, and in turn ignorantly misinterpret as "US style healthcare" rather than something more European in nature. Focus on preventative healthcare, align premiums with lifestyle choices (like an insurance company), and attract (and retain) the best and brightest for all.

Essentially, if the "Wildrose Alliance" merged with the Liberal Party.

Environmental policy would probably be a lot more focussed on market solutions rather than heavy governmental regulation.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Mickey76

Alberta Alliance will have to shake the stigma that they are the Mormon Party of Alberta. I know last election I had many conversations with people who are tired of the conservatives, will never vote liberal, but viewed the Alberta Alliance and Thorsteinsen (sp?) with extreme suspicion. It may be unfair and backwards but I believe it to be a political reality.

I don't think your wrong there. I originally hail from that part of the province. When I go home that is what I am told. The Alliance won the seat because he was a Mormon and all the Mormons voted for him. Right or wrong, that is the rumour.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I don't think your wrong there. I originally hail from that part of the province. When I go home that is what I am told. The Alliance won the seat because he was a Mormon and all the Mormons voted for him. Right or wrong, that is the rumour.

The same could be said for Broyce Jacobs who held the seat previously...... or of other MLA's

Latter-day Saints Serve in Alberta Cabinet
Church members Ian McClelland, Greg Melchin, and Broyce Jacobs were recently elected as members of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta, Canada.
Brother Melchin, a member of the Calgary 17th Ward, Calgary Alberta West Stake, has served in the Legislative Assembly since 1997, and after his reelection was appointed to the Alberta cabinet as minister of revenue. Brother McClelland, of the River Valley Ward, Edmonton Alberta West Stake, served as a member of Parliament before his election to the Legislative Assembly. Brother Jacobs is a member of the Mountain View Ward, Cardston Alberta Stake.
http://tinyurl.com/2ogfll

Not sure why this even comes up.
During the Calgary - Elbow by-election I don't recall anyone asking me my religious leaning and there certainly was no media about Brian Henninger being LDS.

[ricoFlame]

how in the hell is this merger going to rock alberta? do you really think that there is going to be a hugh increase in votes for this party? never happen.