This weekend’s vote to merge Alberta’s two conservative parties marks the death of the progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties, but just what will be born out of the unity vote is far from certain.
Whether Alberta’s conservatives choose to gather under the banner of the United Conservative Party remains to be seen. Already, some former members of the now defunct Wildrose and Progress Conservative parties are publicly going their own way, looking to create yet another new political entity or considering rallying behind an existing political party.
Whether or not ordinary Albertans chose to get behind either of these options remains to be seen.
Alberta’s political landscape is shifting, and MPs and parties of all stripes need to put the interests of ordinary Albertans and the province first.
The Ralph Klein-era of budget cuts is past. Slash and burn policies could end up causing more harm than good.
Whoever ends up forming the next government of Alberta needs to get the Province’s financial house in order and come up with a sustainable plan to balance the budget, repay mounting debt and protect front-line services Albertans rely on.
It’s up to the United Conservative Party, or any other challengers, to give Albertans a plan to do it.
