Jean vows to keep his campaign clean
Brian Jean isn’t interested in internal mudslinging during the United Conservative Party leadership race.
During his campaign launch and policy announcements early this week, and again when speaking with the Journal Thursday, the former Wildrose Party leader’s language has tended toward sunshine and positivity — aside from when he talks about the NDP.
“I’m a unifier, I’m not a divider,” Jean said Thursday.
“Most people wouldn’t consider me to be a natural politician. That’s not who I am. I’m not going to play dirty, that’s not at all my modus operandi.”
Further, he doesn’t think Albertans will put up with it.
But it’s all part of politics, as evidenced by the NDP caucus digging up past comments made by UCP interim leader Nathan Cooper the day after he was chosen by fellow conservative MLAs for the job.
Much like the Wildrose sending out myriad press releases demanding former Oil Sands Advisory Group panellist Tzeporah Berman be fired over anti-pipeline comments, so, too, the NDP this week demanded Cooper’s resignation over anti-abortion comments he made in 2009.
Cooper said his views have changed over the last decade.
Jean said Cooper has his full support as interim leader, calling him “a good friend and a great Albertan.”
“Ten years ago, people had different views than they do now about a number of things and I think he’s been clear — that was his past, he’s focused on the future, and he’s going to treat all Albertans equally,” Jean said.
Cooper and his interim leadership team will have to get the UCP prepared for the fall session.
Jean is adamant Cooper is up for the task, pointing to the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA’s time as Wildrose house leader.
“He’s done an extraordinary job and has been a significant piece of (Wildrose) success. That’s why I trust him so much,” Jean said.
Cooper and his team will remain impartial in the leadership race, which currently only features Jean and Calgary lawyer Doug Schweitzer.
Strathmore-Brooks MLA Derek Fildebrandt hasn’t decided whether or not he’ll run, but, under the banner of his United Liberty group, on Thursday he released another set of UCP policies he’d like to see.
Centring around unions, the policies he’s calling for would mean dues could only be collected with the consent of workers, secret ballot votes for union certifications would be restored, and a limit would be placed on the spending of union dues on collective bargaining and administration.
Progressive Conservative leader Jason Kenney is expected to announce his leadership bid Saturday.
Most people wouldn’t consider me to be a natural politician. That’s not who I am. I’m not going to play dirty