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Fate of Wildrose sits with Tories

It appears things are starting to wilt for Alberta’s once bright Wildrose Party and it will not get better until the Conservatives elect a new leader.

It appears things are starting to wilt for Alberta’s once bright Wildrose Party and it will not get better until the Conservatives elect a new leader.

Leader Danielle Smith is having to do damage control after the exodus of some of her higher profile members including High River native Dean Leask.

Leask, who was to be Smith’s campaign manager in the next provincial election, returned to the Progressive Conservatives and has taken on the role of president of the Tories’ Highwood constituency.

It was a significant blow for Smith to lose Leask, but he is only one of several who have defected the party and returned to the PCs.

When Premier Ed Stelmach announced he was stepping down as leader of the Conservatives disenchanted Tories who abandoned the party for the Wildrose saw an opportunity to come back to the fold and help rebuild the PCs under a new leader.

As a result, whoever the Conservative members elect as leader will have a profound impact on not only their own party, but the Wildrose as well.

Smith understands the situation and said she does not hold a grudge to those who left the Wildrose and returned to the PCs to “try and rebuild the party from within.” She said they are welcome to return should things go sour in the Tory camp once again.

Things certainly could go sour once again depending on who is elected as the Conservative leader.

Should the Tory membership elect an “old guard” such as Gary Mar or someone loyal to Stelmach like Doug Horner, PC supporters will it as a sign there will not be significant change in Tory policy.

As a result, they could do an about face and scurry back to the Wildrose.

However, if someone touting reform such as Foothills-Rockyview MLA Ted Morton is the next Progressive Conservative leader it would be a clear message there is hope for change within the PC membership.

Either way, what is clear is there is little Smith can do right now to stem the tide of support building for the provincial Conservatives.

As difficult as it may be for Smith the fate of the Wildrose is out of her hands. The future of the Wildrose is in the hands of the Progressive Conservative membership and could well hinge on who they elect this fall.




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