Efforts continue to Unite the Centre in Alberta.
The Alberta Party continues its efforts to bring like-minded centrist voters into its fold.
Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark. (File Photo)
Party Leader and Calgary MLA Greg Clark told the AM 610 Newsroom that he believes that Albertans really need a middle-ground alternative at the ballot box.
“Since the NDP came to power, we’ve seen more polarization in Alberta politics,” said Clark. “We’ve got a choice that is developing into two extremes. We’ve got an irresponsible left, as well as an intolerant right, and Albertans are neither of those things.”
Clark says they’re also taking a different approach from the Unite the Right merger efforts to form the United Conservative Party.
“What we’re seeing is a more organic process, more of a grassroots process,” said Clark. “It’s where people come and join the party that’s the best fit for them values-wise, and fortunately for us, a lot of people who’ve supported the PCs and were uncomfortable under the leadership of Jason Kenney, have come and joined us.”
Christopher Brown. (File Photo)
But some, including Chris Brown, who currently works as Communications Coordinator for the Town of Slave Lake, joined the Alberta Liberals.
Brown, who ran for the Federal Liberals in the 2015 election for Peace River-Westlock, says he’s one person who favours bringing centrists together under one tent.
“After Jason Kenney won the leadership of the Alberta PCs, I decided to cut up my membership card, like more centrists Albertans did,” said Brown. “I then started looking at other parties, including both the Liberals and the Alberta Party. And after meeting with both leadership candidates for the Liberals, I took out a membership with that organization.”
Alberta Liberals are set to have a new leader in place on June 4, 2017. And both candidates have different approaches in terms of uniting the centre.
Kerry Cundal, herself a former Federal Liberal candidate for Calgary Signal Hill, wants to see more discussions about cooperation between the different centrist parties operating in the province. David Kahn, meanwhile, is in favour of rebuilding the Liberal brand, and feels the party can still go it alone.
And while Brown says he favours cooperation, he’s still undecided on if that should entail a merger with all the parties.
“I think that most people are looking at the two leadership candidates and decide who they’re going to vote for,” he said. “It’s a tough choice. I think most members are looking at this, and are thinking that (Cundal and Kahn) are bringing positive spins to this.”
But, is the Alberta Party watching this leadership race?
“We really haven’t been watching it that much,” said Clark. “We’re going to leave (the Liberals) to their process, and we’re going to focus on our work.”
– Posted by BET
