Dave Taylor joins Alberta Party

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

They're working on their platform. The policy proposals then go to party members for ratification. Just like any other party.

Can that process be complete by say, November?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Slava

Can that process be complete by say, November?

That certainly would be an ambitious plan. Whether that happens remains to be seen. I'd rather have them develop sound, reasoned policy (since they're building from the ground up essentially). But your mileage may vary.

Leader Glenn Taylor has assembled a solid constituency association in West Yellowhead, where he's very popular as Hinton mayor up against a meh PC opponent.

[Slava]

Ya, it'll be interesting to see whether Taylor can get elected. The reason I ask about November is that is a good time for an election (at this point, but who knows what changes along the way). If the Alberta Party can't get a platform in place by then, they're is serious trouble.

Building a platform isn't going to be easy. It has to be very different from the Liberals, but not off the wall. That's a tall order, IMO.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Slava

Building a platform isn't going to be easy. It has to be very different from the Liberals, but not off the wall. That's a tall order, IMO.

The Alberta Liberal Party hasn't been in power for 90 years. It shouldn't be that difficult for a party of any stripe to avoid emulating them.

[jayswin]

Speaking of Nenshi, do you guys remember Pylon's epic response to Nenshi winning the election? I remember laughing pretty hard as he lost it in that thread.

[Ducay]

There is really no one to vote for in Provincial politics

PC - same old junk
Liberals - Couldn't form a government if life depended on it (although I'd hope they could regain some strength to get a better L/R balance in Legislature)
WRA - bunch of uber-conservative crazies trying to sell themselves as "mainstream" when they're essentially twice as right as the PCs; not good for Alberta.
Alberta Party - Again, like some of the things they have to say, but don't appear electable right now.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

The Alberta Liberal Party hasn't been in power for 90 years. It shouldn't be that difficult for a party of any stripe to avoid emulating them.

Sure, but even in their darkest hour they get 18% support. Those voters are exactly who the Alberta Party needs...except by being totally different.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sure, but even in their darkest hour they get 18% support. Those voters are exactly who the Alberta Party needs...except by being totally different.

Some overlap, obviously.

Bigger question though, is how the PCs reinvent themeselves. They remain the big game in town. If they attempt to take on the Wildrose head-to-head, that opens up a much bigger field in the center.

[Slava]

Depending on who wins leadership for the PCs they could destroy the Liberals and Alberta Party. My next column for the site will be about that, and the fact that despite anecdotal evidence that might be contrary I think the PCs are in the drivers seat.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Slava

Depending on who wins leadership for the PCs they could destroy the Liberals and Alberta Party. My next column for the site will be about that, and the fact that despite anecdotal evidence that might be contrary I think the PCs are in the drivers seat.

The PCs are in the driver's seat simply by inertia. They've been sitting there for so long they've gotten old and fat, and it'll take a hell of a push to get them out.

As for the list of parties above, my only comment is that never in the history of Alberta has a party been replaced by a new government considered further to the left on the political spectrum.

The next leader will definitely be pivotal. Everyone thought the PCs were on their way out after Getty, but Ralph Klein rescued them and extended the dynasty another couple of decades