Audible gasps greeted Jason Kenney's announcement he will step down as the UCP leader..He made the comments in a speech at a private gathering the UCP hosted at Spruce Meadows in Calgary..Kenney actually survived the leadership review with support from 51.4% of members who voted “yes” to the question: “Do you approve of the current leader?”.And prior to the vote results, Kenney had repeatedly said he would stay on as leader if he received 50% plus one of support. He made those comments as recently as Tuesday afternoon..But he took the stage at the UCP campaign event on Wednesday evening, saying the result was not what he hoped for. The mandate is not strong enough to continue, Kenney said as he announced his intent to resign as UCP leader..Audible gasps came up from the audience, who had initially cheered when the results were announced..Kenney said he asked the party to trigger a leadership race so Conservatives can unite and put the divisiveness of COVID-19 pandemic policies behind them..“Clearly, a large number of our members want to clear the air with a leadership election.”.For now, Kenney is still the premier and he's still party leader — but his speech indicated his intentions to resign, senior UCP staff told the Western Standard following the premier's speech..Kenney concluded his speech by saying it's time to get to the real news of the evening — the battle of Alberta. Kenney has so far declined opportunities to announce which team he’s cheering for..Most of Kenney’s inner circle seem surprised by the news. UCP staff could be seen consoling each other at the campaign event. Twitter users reported Justice Minister Tyler Shandro was in tears..Many event attendees could also be seen crying and hugging one another. .There were 34,298 votes cast in the review..Kenney has helmed the party for the last five years, after he merged the Progressive Conservative Party and the Wildrose Party under the UCP banner..Albertans handed the UCP a majority mandate in 2019, just four years after the right vote-split resulted in Rachel Notley and the NDP’s shock victory. At 64%, the election saw the highest voter turnout since 1982, and marked the first time an incumbent government failed to win a second term..In an exclusive interview with the Western Standard on Tuesday, Kenney said he thought he would get a good endorsement from party members..“There's always surprises in politics and elections," he added.."So prepare to be surprised either way."
Audible gasps greeted Jason Kenney's announcement he will step down as the UCP leader..He made the comments in a speech at a private gathering the UCP hosted at Spruce Meadows in Calgary..Kenney actually survived the leadership review with support from 51.4% of members who voted “yes” to the question: “Do you approve of the current leader?”.And prior to the vote results, Kenney had repeatedly said he would stay on as leader if he received 50% plus one of support. He made those comments as recently as Tuesday afternoon..But he took the stage at the UCP campaign event on Wednesday evening, saying the result was not what he hoped for. The mandate is not strong enough to continue, Kenney said as he announced his intent to resign as UCP leader..Audible gasps came up from the audience, who had initially cheered when the results were announced..Kenney said he asked the party to trigger a leadership race so Conservatives can unite and put the divisiveness of COVID-19 pandemic policies behind them..“Clearly, a large number of our members want to clear the air with a leadership election.”.For now, Kenney is still the premier and he's still party leader — but his speech indicated his intentions to resign, senior UCP staff told the Western Standard following the premier's speech..Kenney concluded his speech by saying it's time to get to the real news of the evening — the battle of Alberta. Kenney has so far declined opportunities to announce which team he’s cheering for..Most of Kenney’s inner circle seem surprised by the news. UCP staff could be seen consoling each other at the campaign event. Twitter users reported Justice Minister Tyler Shandro was in tears..Many event attendees could also be seen crying and hugging one another. .There were 34,298 votes cast in the review..Kenney has helmed the party for the last five years, after he merged the Progressive Conservative Party and the Wildrose Party under the UCP banner..Albertans handed the UCP a majority mandate in 2019, just four years after the right vote-split resulted in Rachel Notley and the NDP’s shock victory. At 64%, the election saw the highest voter turnout since 1982, and marked the first time an incumbent government failed to win a second term..In an exclusive interview with the Western Standard on Tuesday, Kenney said he thought he would get a good endorsement from party members..“There's always surprises in politics and elections," he added.."So prepare to be surprised either way."