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United Conservative Party

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For the historical political party in Chile, see United Conservative Party (Chile).
United Conservative Party
LeaderNathan Cooper (interim)
FoundedJuly 22, 2017
Merger ofProgressive Conservatives,
Wildrose
IdeologyConservatism
Political positionCentre-right to Right-wing
Seats in Legislature
29 / 87

The United Conservative Party (UCP) is a new political party in Alberta, Canada established following member approval of a merger between the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta and the Wildrose Party. Negotiations by PC Party leader Jason Kenney and Wildrose leader Brian Jean began shortly after Kenney was elected PC leader on March 18, 2017 on a platform of uniting the two parties. Negotiations were successful and the text of the merger agreement was released on May 18, 2017. Internal votes on the merger agreement were held by both parties on July 22, 2017.[1][2] Following the ratification of the new party, the United Conservative Party leadership election is to be held on October 28, 2017 with both Jason Kenney and Wildrose leader Brian Jean expected to stand for leader of the new party. A founding convention of the party to be held in early 2018.[3]

42,617 Wildrose members were eligible to vote on July 22, 2017. There was a 57 per cent turnout with 23,466 voters (95%) in favour of the agreement and 1,132 (5%) against, clearing the 75% threshold required by the party's constitution. The Progressive Conservative membership also approved the agreement by a margin of 95% to 5%. With a turnout of 55% of eligible members, 25,692 PC members voted yes and 1,344 voted no, with 24 spoiled ballots; the PC party's constitution required a simple majority of its membership to approve the merger.[4][5]

Despite the overwhelming vote for a merger, some Wildrosers are expected to not join the united party with a group of constituency association presidents meeting later in July to discuss forming a new party. Similarly, at least 10 directors of the PC Party have resigned since Jason Kenney became leader, with some former Tories working to build a centrist alternative to both the United Conservatives and the NDP before the next provincial election.[4] The second-place PC leadership candidate and MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster, Richard Starke, announced on July 24 that he will not join the UCP, and will sit in the legislature as an Independent PC MLA. [6]

A joint meeting of the PC and Wildrose caucuses was held on July 24, 2017, to elected Nathan Cooper, Wildrose MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, as interim leader[7] over Prasad Panda, Wildrose MLA for Calgary-Foothills, and Richard Gotfried, PC MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek.[8] As well, members of both caucuses will be approaching the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and ask to be recognized as the United Conservative caucus.[5]

Kenney and Jean will be selecting six individuals each to sit on the interim executive board of the new party. The interim UCP leader will also appoint two MLAs to the board as non-voting members. The new party will register itself with Elections Alberta as soon as possible.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Conservative unity vote: A timeline". Edmonton Journal. July 22, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "Alberta's Wildrose, PCs agree to create new United Conservative Party". CBC News. May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  3. ^ "Wildrose-PC members to vote on new united party July 22". Edmonton Journal. May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Wildrose votes yes to unity with 95% of the vote". Calgary Herald. July 22, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Bellefontaine, Michelle (July 22, 2017). "Wildrose and PC members approve unite-the-right deal with 95% voting 'yes'". CBC News. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  6. ^ "Richard Starke, former PC leadership candidate, won't join new United Conservative Party". CBC News. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
  7. ^ "Nathan Cooper chosen as interim leader of United Conservative Party". CBC News. July 24, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Graney, Emma (July 22, 2017). "United Conservative Party: The next steps". Retrieved July 23, 2017.
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