New party must traverse untested political terrain

After declaring a resounding, 95 per cent “yes” to unity Saturday, Alberta’s Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties are well and truly on the path to creating a single conservative political force.

But there is a vast expanse of legislative, political and financial territory to navigate before the United Conservative Party morphs from a nine-page agreement-inprinciple to a live and kicking entity ready to take on the NDP in the 2019 election.

THE FIRST MEETING

A joint caucus meeting of Wildrose and PC MLAs will take place in Edmonton on Monday, where they are expected to elect an interim leader to take charge of the party.

In the running on Saturday were Nathan Cooper, Wildrose MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, Prasad Panda, Wildrose MLA for Calgary-Foothills, and Richard Gotfried, Progressive Conservative MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek.

APPOINTING THE EXECUTIVE

An association with the UCP name has already been incorporated under the Alberta Societies Act. The interim leader and executive will take control of all three parties — the Wildrose, Progressive Conservatives and United Conservatives.

As per the agreement, it’s up to PC Leader Jason Kenney and Wildrose Leader Brian Jean to select six people each who will comprise the interim joint board.

Jean has already appointed his folks, which resulted in some pushback from Wildrosers saying he has skin in the game.

Kenney hasn’t said a peep about who he’ll appoint.

Also on the board will be the interim UCP leader and two MLAs of his or her choosing (one from each party) as non-voting members.

REGISTRATION

The UCP association will get the party registered with Elections Alberta as soon as possible.

There are a few ways for a party to be registered in Alberta, but the UCP will likely get three sitting MLAs to declare their intention to start the new party.

They’ll need to submit a registration form including the party’s name, abbreviation, name of a leader, banking information and chief financial officer.

Elections Alberta will ensure all the ducks are in a row, then approve the party’s creation — a process that will likely take less than a month.

LOOKING FOR A LEADER

Once the party is registered, a leadership race can officially begin and the accounting period kicks in.

Jean has already announced his intention to run, as has Calgary lawyer Doug Schweitzer.

Kenney is widely expected to enter too.

Also a possibility for a leadership run is Derek Fildebrandt, Wildrose MLA for Strathmore-Brooks, who is heading up the prounity group United Liberty.

He said Saturday he would not support Jean in a leadership bid, but will take a look at the rules before deciding whether he’ll jump into the race.

THE CASH QUESTION

The Wildrose and PC parties cannot legally transfer any assets to the UCP, which means the new party will — financially — start from scratch.

That’s not a big deal for the Tories, who have no money.

The significant Wildrose war chest will likely be depleted on ads in support of the conservative cause, but can’t advertise any party.