Project Alberta

Hmm, let me think. The last time conservative voters (in Canada) were forced to choose between a PC and an Alliance party, the result was what again? Oh yeah, 13 years of Liberal corruption.

Phooey!

Hmm, let me think. The last time conservative voters (in Canada) were forced to choose between a PC and an Alliance party, the result was what again? Oh yeah, 13 years of Liberal corruption.

Phooey!

Hmm, let me think. The last time conservative voters (in Canada) were forced to choose between a PC and an Alliance party, the result was what again? Oh yeah, 13 years of Liberal corruption.

Phooey!

Alberta's right-wing parties set to merge
Alberta Alliance and Wildrose Party hope to marry later this month

Archie McLean
edmontonjournal.com
Tuesday, January 01, 2008

EDMONTON - Alberta's political right may be in for a re-alignment in 2008, with the Alberta Alliance and Wildrose Party preparing for a merger before the next election.

If the union is accepted by both party's members, the new Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta will run a full slate of candidates in the next election.

Under the terms of the merger, the Alliance party would accept the bylaws of the Wildrose Party. Alliance Leader Paul Hinman said he's confident the plan will pass at a special general meeting on Jan. 19 in Calgary.

Hinman would become leader of the new party at least until its annual general meeting, which will be held by the end of May.

After years of splintering, Hinman said he's pleased the groups to the right of the ruling Conservatives are working together.

"It's exciting that the few small differences are finally getting set aside so that we can come together to get a good fiscally responsible alternative to the current government," Hinman said. "It's been so fractured and so many people are disgruntled, that they're finally coming to realize that the real problem is the Stelmach government."

Wildrose leaders also urged their members to endorse the marriage.

"The policy differences between our parties are minimal," Wildrose president Rob James said on the Alliance website. "We strongly urge our members to get behind this union."

The Alberta Alliance formed in 2002 as a home for conservatives disgruntled with the PC party. Two years later, the party elected its first MLA, Hinman, in Cardston-Taber-Warner. But the Alliance, like the Liberals and NDP, has not seen its poll numbers rise by the same margin as Premier Ed Stelmach's have fallen in recent months.

Partly for this reason, the Wildrose Party came together this summer. It held its first policy convention in Edmonton in October and recently gathered enough signatures to become an official party, but has not received that status yet.

The Alliance considered a merger last year with the Social Credit Party, but the idea didn't get very far.

Hinman said the new party will be focused on fiscal responsibility, which he says the Stelmach government has forgotten.


http://tinyurl.com/2fzxec

Question: if the 'merger' goes ahead, does that mean a brand new leadership contest?

This was discussed. Given the pending election; Paul will stay on as leader.

They're going to discuss the impending merger on 630ched/QR77 on Rutherford right away (guest host, tho - too bad)

11:30... listening now... Let's hope Paul doesn't talk about the new smoking ban...

He did well!

I think if Ted did jump,, the PCs would be very nervous........

I listened as well. He done good. But then I have always liked Paul. I did note that callins after the interview were negative on Stelmach

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You have our votes now,as we are are completely fed up with our left leaning Provincial Conservatives........... We have been in the past ,-card caring members of the conservative party and will now be supporting the ---- "Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta"

sincerely xxxxxx
(Calgary)

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Jane, good to have you involved. I am encouraaged with the direction.

I will surely attend.
xxxxxx
(Nanton)

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This is indeed very exciting.

xxxxx
(Calgary)

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Hello,
It's about time Albertans have an alternative to the old Ralph party, he was in the Corporate back pocket and the Wildrose Alliance Party will give us new policies.

<snipped> due to language content

I'm exited and will support the merger. I've been a Conservative voter for 50 years and getting increasingly agravated by the way the PC Party is handling our money.
The sooner the merger is done the better.
Regards,
xxxxx
(Edmonton)


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and one hoped that Ted Morton would jump ship to The Wildrose Alliance.