With the recent interest in the WRAP here in Alberta, there has been chatter about how they will succeed in taking votes away from the Conservatives in the next election. It doesn't hurt that they have a young, attractive, and well spoken potential leader in Dannielle Smith. I won't speculate much about that leadership race as I don't understand the details, but I will suggest that the WRAP are getting their disproportionate percentage of the media coverage and discussion in the online communities.
In my opinion however, Smith is possibly barking up the wrong tree. I don't think the majority of Albertans are looking for a more conservative solution to our governmental problems. As much as Smith may say that she is a Libertarian, and even Link Byfield has written why it's ok that their social conservative party can be led by a Libertarian, the reality is that the party remains the home for the far right. In my opinion the far right is doomed forever as a relevant party position in nearly any jurisdiction. As our population gains a more urban nature, and tools like social media and the internet start to bring people together as informed equals, we are simply becoming more progressive on social issues.
From the left, the Liberals have discredited themselves by just hating everything about the PC's instead of creating their own separate vision for Albertans. Mostly they are an academic bunch who seem to revel in looking down on the "Stupid" Albertans who voted in this Government. This is a not a party for me, and certainly not for the average Albertan. The NDP are as radical as the WRAP, just as close-minded from the other side of the spectrum, and frankly irrelevant.
So, I wonder if many Albertans feel like I do? I wonder a lot lately about the left flank of our Progressive Conservative Party in Alberta. I am unhappy with the PC's failure to provide a progressive vision for the future on social issues, while trying to maintain an open environment for economic success. If you don't think it can be done, I would say that Brad Wall's Saskatchewan Party has done a dcent job in their first two years. Which leads me to wonder if there is room in Alberta for an Alberta Party. One that celebrates our independent and entreprenurial nature, yet resists the pandering to the social right. A small but loud-mouthed constituency that seems to be more concerend about who is sleeping with who, and how "God's word" might be reflected in our Government, Education, etc.
Properly thought -out, with a well distilled platform, I think an Alberta Party could fill a huge centrist vacuum which has been created by PC mismanagement and the voters lack of trust for the Liberals and WRAP. What this effort needs is a strong leader who is able to articulate to Albertans that they can be both things in a modern world. We can be indepenent and entreprenurial, we can maintain our "cowboy way" within Canada while staying relevant to the progression of humanity.
What are your thoughts?
