Fildebrandt edging closer to run for UCP leadership, if merger goes through
Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt is moving closer to running for leader of the proposed United Conservative Party, while a spat within party ranks — that threatened the deal to create the new party —appears to have been smoothed over.
In an interview Monday, Fildebrandt said he’s assembled a campaign team and has money in the bank for a potential leadership run if the agreement to unify Wildrose and the Progressive Conservatives into the new UCP is approved by each party’s members next month.
Fildebrandt said he’s made no final decision but if he chooses to throw his hat in the ring, he will run a libertarian-style campaign akin to that of Maxime Bernier, who narrowly lost the federal Conservative leadership last month.
“What I want to see is strong conservative and libertarian values and policies reflected in this party,” said the StrathmoreBrooks MLA.
“We’re going to be putting forward some bold and forwardthinking policy proposals over the next few months and make a determination about what the best path forward is to see those values enshrined.”
Bernier made a splash in the Conservative leadership race by touting policies such as an end to supply management in agriculture and getting Ottawa out of health care. While Bernier ultimately finished second to Andrew Scheer, he took the most votes of any candidate in Alberta.
Fildebrandt is known for his shoot-from-the-hip style, at one point being suspended from the Wildrose caucus last year over an errant social media posting. On Monday, the provincial NDP was quick to issue a news release highlighting recent kind words for Fildebrandt from the controversial conservative media site, The Rebel.
Both Wildrose Leader Brian Jean and PC Leader Jason Kenney have said they will seek the leadership of the UCP if the new party is given the go-ahead by Tories and Wildrosers.
Calgary lawyer Doug Schweitzer has also officially announced he is running for the leadership of the new party.
The PC party requires a simple majority in a vote of party members to approve the unity deal on July 22 while Wildrose mandates 75 per cent approval of members at a special meeting.
A problem flared up last week within Wildrose ranks over certain provisions within the unity agreement.
Party president Jeff Callaway said there was widespread concern among Wildrose members over terms that would see each parties’ leaders appoint the members of the UCP’s interim joint board, policy committee, nomination committee and leadership committee.
That concern was echoed by some MLAs, including Fildebrandt, as well as some riding-level officials.
However, it was announced last week that a slate for the committee positions put forward by Jean was unanimously approved by Wildrose’s executive.
Fildebrandt said the election of the committee members by the Wildrose board had resolved the issue.
“I certainly heard it enough in town halls and meetings I had with grassroots activists to know it was a real concern, that this was a legitimate problem,” he said.
“We carried those concerns on and they’ve now been addressed.”
In a news release last week, Jean said he had “spent much time and effort consulting with our membership and seeking their nominations and suggestions.”
“I am confident that the individuals selected will represent all of our members well.”