Just before the Battle of Alberta got underway on the ice, there was another Battle of Alberta as Jason Kenney's leadership of the United Conservative Party was under review.
"Do you approve of the current leader?" Kenney got 51.4% of the vote: 17,638 said yes and 16,660 said no. The party received 34,298 ballots by the May 11 deadline.
While Kenney had said he would accept a 50%+1 total, which is not how leadership reviews are usually accepted, Kenney announced his resignation as party leader with the result.
"The result is not what I hoped for or frankly what I expected," Kenney told a gathering of supporters and volunteers.
I want to thank Jason Kenney for his public service.
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) May 19, 2022
There are obviously many things about which we don’t agree, but that doesn’t negate the time and sacrifice that goes into taking on the role of Premier.#ableg #yyc #yeg #abpoli
Kenney remains as party leader and premier until either an interim leader is picked for both or the party has an election to elect a new leader, who would then become premier. The next Alberta election isn't scheduled until 2023.
Brian Jean, the last leader of the Wildrose Party (2015-2017) (the UCP is the combination of the Progressive Conservatives and the farther-right Wildrose Party), would be in the catbird seat. Freshly back in the Alberta legislature in the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche riding since March 16. Jean ran for the UCP leadership race in 2017. That leadership race featured Jeff Callaway, a candidate that seemed to be connected to the Kenney campaign, presumably running just to attack Jean.
Danielle Smith, a former Wildrose leader who is not in the Alberta legislature, will hold a news conference Thursday to discuss her plans. This is how some remember Smith and her old party.
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No matter what your Alberta government does or does not do- you can still protect yourself by using your head. Wear a mask- social distancing- being sensible- washing your hands. We’ve come this far without any leadership- and we will continue on. #electioncannotcometoosoon
— jann arden (@jannarden) July 29, 2021
Depending on where you stand on the political landscape, there is an argument that Kenney was defeated by being "too tough" on COVID-19 restrictions. Most of the world would see Kenney's actions as being far too lenient.
Unlike Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party geographically off to the east, Kenney ran in skirmishes such as party gatherings when those gatherings were otherwise outlawed and taking taxpayer money to produce propaganda against potential attacks on Alberta oil.
Jason Kenney's political future on the line (Front Burner from CBC Radio)
Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP
CanadianCrossing.com Alberta coverage
Even from an objective standpoint, there was an arrogance from Jason Kenney even before he became the United Conservative Party leader. His followers might think that was hubris.
Rachel Notley's NDP took advantage of the frustration with provincial leadership to win the 2015 election. The merger of the right-wing parties was designed to thwart the NDP in the province. There was a path to set everything up well but that path was ignored due to arrogance or hubris. Now we'll see what path the party and new provincial leader will follow.
photo credits: Global News; CBC News
Twitter captures: @RachelNotley; @jannarden
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