Liepert keeps Signal Hill Tory
Former Alberta cabinet minister Ron Liepert’s coast to victory in Signal Hill Monday took a sombre turn as he and dozens of campaign volunteers watched the Liberals form the new government.
But Liepert, who ran a strong campaign and had been door- knocking since early August, said he saw the signs of a Stephen Harper loss months ago.
“I saw it right away, in the first- week of doorknocking, there really was a lot of dislike for the Prime Minister at the door, I was actually surprised by it.
“But 10 years is a long time, and in this media world we live in, you’re constantly under scrutiny. And this campaign result is really just the culmination of a lot of frustrations.”
Despite the Conservative party’s crushing defeat outside of the prairies, Liepert was easily able to keep the Signal Hill seat Conservative, clearly beating out Liberal candidate and lawyer Kerry Cundal and NDP candidate Khalis Ahmed.
Liepert is well- known in Calgary’s political circles, best known for his days at the Alberta legislature, and serving for the PCs as education, health, energy and finance minister from 2004 to 2012 before spending three years in the private sector. In spite of his popularity, Liepert admits the Conservatives nationally will have to start looking for a new leader and use the loss as an opportunity to rebuild the party.
“There really was a lot of top- down control from the Prime Minister’s office.
“I can’t imagine Harper staying on for another term, fighting another election.
“The PCs have to broaden our appeal to include everyone, the entire middle spectrum.”
Ron Alexander, a longtime Tory and Liepert supporter in Signal Hill, agreed, adding once Justin Trudeau started leading the polls over the past week, Harper’s demise was almost certain.
“I think a lot of people will look at that and will want to vote for a winner.
“It’s very tough to carry through to a fourth mandate. And Trudeau, he’s that young, attractive, sexy candidate.
Liberal candidate Kerry Cundal says under a Trudeau government, the country can now look forward to more investment in the middle class, and infrastructure projects that will give Calgarians jobs, including the Green Line LRT.