United right gets mixed local review

Some aren’t happy at all while others say it’s the only way to defeat the NDP

There are very strong voices locally for and against the agreement in principle to merge the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties, including concerns it would result in MLAs having to cross the floor in the legislature.

“In my opinion everyone of the (PC and Wildrose) MLAs that are currently elected will have to cross the floor to a new party,” said former Medicine Hat MLA Blake Pedersen, who took heat for crossing the floor from Wildrose to the PC Party a few years ago.

If the merger does not happen, there are many MLAs who have gone on record saying they do not believe in the platforms of their current parties, said Pedersen.

“What do you do after that? Should they go and sit as independents.”

An agreement in principle signed Thursday by both parties stipulates the process to wind down each party and form the United Conservative Party, pending ratification by party members.

Wildrose has 60 days to call a special general meeting and 75 per cent would have to vote in favour for the merger to happen. PC members will vote July 22 and will need 50 per cent plus one for it to carry.

Everything about the announcement of the merger agreement says the Wildrose party “surrendered,” says party member Ian Parkinson. The Wildrose does not feature anywhere in the new name — United Conservative Party.

“Give us your money and go away,” said Parkinson. “Brian Jean rolled over and said ‘what else do you want?’ It was a done deal in a back room.”

“I am not supportive of it at all,” said Bill Grady, a former president of the local PC riding association.

If the merger takes place, Grady will not support it.

“I will either not bother with anything or find something more progressive to align my vote with. If I made a decision today it would be the Alberta Party,” said Grady.

Local PC supporter Judy Morris says she is still “sitting on the fence” as she waits for more details to emerge about the deal.

One of the original members of the Wildrose party, local businessman Gord Cowan, is a strong supporter of uniting the two parties. He does not anticipate any trouble reaching the required level of support from members.

“It will just be a rubber stamp,” said Cowan.

Parkinson expects the membership vote in rural ridings to be against the merger but feels there will be enough support for it to carry across the rest of the province.

“I think for the overall benefit of the province, unite the right is the only option,” said Cowan.

The Alberta Party will probably attract PC members who lean politically to the left, Cowan added.

The agreement puts an end to a “decade of division by uniting common sense” and “ensures the defeat of this disastrous NDP government and the election of a free enterprise government that will renew the Alberta Advantage,” said Kenney on Thursday.

The idea of uniting in order to be a threat to the NDP, rather than having a set of policies that people are aligning with, is a big concern, said Pedersen.

“I really struggle with that,” said Pedersen. “It is removing choice.”

When it comes to choosing a leader for the UCP, Parkinson does not feel Brian Jean stands any chance. It is not clear that Kenney would win either, said Parkinson. While Wildrose CypressMedicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes has not said yet whether he will seek the leadership, Parkinson believes he could win.

There is another sore point about Thursday’s announcement.

As the past-president of the local PC riding association, a former PC MLA in Medicine Hat and member of the party, Pedersen is disappointed he had to learn about the deal from the media instead of a friendly email from the party.

“They have no trouble finding me when they want money,” said Pedersen. An email arrived about two or three hours after the public announcement.