Albertans aren’t sure who should lead the right: poll
CALGARY Albertans aren’t sold on either Jason Kenney or Brian Jean at the helm of a new right-ofcentre party, according to a new provincial survey.
While the Mainstreet Research poll commissioned by Postmedia suggests Wildrose Leader Jean is carrying a significant advantage over Progressive Conservative leadership hopeful Kenney in the quest to merge the two parties in a united front against the ruling NDP, most of those polled aren’t sure who to support or believe someone else would be a better fit.
While Jean had the support of 26 per cent of respondents from the March 10 survey compared to Kenney’s 17 per cent, some 28 per cent said they’d prefer someone else.
Another 29 per cent said they’re not sure.
Mainstreet president Quito Maggi said former Calgary MP Kenney has had to endure a bruising leadership campaign while Jean, also a former Conservative MP, has been able to solidify his base while leading the official Opposition.
“Jean’s done a good job as leader of the Opposition, but there’s some hope someone else will come in the race,” Maggi said.
“Neither Kenney nor Jean seem to have really electrified people — maybe people are looking for someone newer or younger.”
Kenney is seen as the clear front-runner in the race to become the next leader of the PCs, which will be determined Saturday at a party convention.
Maggi said the difficult PC leadership campaign, in which Kenney pushed the unification agenda against some stiff opposition, appears to have damaged his brand somewhat.
“By all measures, it appears he’s going to win the leadership of the PCs overwhelmingly, but the campaign has been a very divisive and combative process,” he said.
“There were some controversies that surrounded his leadership bid that has put downward pressure on his personal brand.”
Meanwhile, Jean has seen his own approval rating grow since the Wildrose Party rebounded from the exodus of nearly all its MLAs in 2014, forming the official Opposition with an even larger bench.
A Mainstreet poll in February found Jean boasted a 64 per cent approval rating compared to Premier Rachel Notley’s 37 per cent, further strengthening his bid to lead a united right.
Kenney, meanwhile, was viewed favourably by 41 per cent of those polled, with 32 per cent holding an unfavourable view of the wouldbe leader.
Mount Royal University political analyst David Taras said even if Kenney wins the PC leadership race, he will have a much harder task appealing to those outside the party’s orbit.
“Kenney has a big shadow coming out of federal politics, but he still has to sell himself to Albertans,” Taras said.
“And he still has this gruelling campaign ahead of him to merge the parties.”
Taras said both Kenney and Jean may struggle to win support from those closer to the political centre, which may explain why those polled may be looking beyond that duo to lead a united party to oppose the ruling NDP.
“There may be some discontent with both of these candidates, and also a sense the public is different and has changed,” he said.
“Most Albertans are at the middle of the spectrum, and it’s a much more diverse and younger electorate.”
The poll, which randomly surveyed 2,374 Albertans on March 10, is considered accurate within 2.01 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Most Albertans are at the middle of the spectrum, and it’s a much more diverse and younger electorate.