KENNEY, UCP FACE THEIR NEXT TESTS

It wasn’t at all surprising that United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney prevailed in last week’s byelection. Still, his victory was impressive: a whopping 71 per cent of the vote, dashing any dreams of his opponents that they’d stick a wrench in his plans to secure a seat in the legislature and silencing the constant nattering that Kenney would pay a price because they felt his beliefs were offside with many Albertans’ values.

It’s either a case that the views Kenney has espoused in recent months do indeed reflect those of ordinary Albertans, or that voters’ main priority is the NDP’s handling of the economy. Either way, the verdict was a clear rebuffing of the NDP and a rejection of the other parties that hope to form government in 2019.

It is his fourth major win in nine months, following his victory in the Progressive Conservative leadership race in March, successful referendums on uniting the PC and Wildrose parties this summer and his triumph in the UCP leadership race in October.

Kenney’s toughest tests are still to come, however. It’s one thing to blast the government at moments of his choosing. It is quite another to be poised and effective during the formal question period when the legislature is in session. As official Opposition leader, Kenney will need to be perceived as statesmanlike — a seasoned politician capable of ably assuming the mantle of power.

There’s also the challenge of leading a diverse caucus and working with a political party. So far, Kenney has been able to do as he pleases — driving around the province in a blue pickup truck, for instance, saying whatever he wanted to whomever had the time and inclination to listen.

Now, Kenney will have to articulate a clearer vision of where he would take Alberta if elected premier. There will have to be fleshed out policies on innumerable subjects, not just criticism of the NDP’s management of the province. The UCP will hold its first policy convention in May and it will be interesting to see if Kenney keeps the affair tightly scripted or provides an open forum for every party member, including some who may hold views that would embarrass the party.

Then there’s the management of caucus itself. It will, at the end of the day, be up to Kenney to ensure the party isn’t injured by the ill-chosen words or questionable actions of MLAs.

Kenney’s achievements will otherwise have been for naught if he can’t finish the task.