There are comparisons between Thursday’s actions by rebel UCP MLAs and that of the dying days of the premiership of Alison Redford, says Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams..“It’s hard not to notice the similarities to Len Webber and Donna Kennedy-Glans challenging Alison Redford’s leadership, the difference being that this dissension has been more public for weeks,” Williams told the Western Standard..A former PC MLA and support of Kenney echoed Williams..“This feels like the dying days of Allison Redford’s premiership”..Early Thursday, Kenney’s leadership was dealt another serious blow as the first MLA in his own caucus called for him to step down as premier..Todd Loewen, UCP MLA for Central Peace-Notley in northwest Alberta, published a scathing letter saying Kenney refuses to listen to the public and to caucus members, that his leadership has failed, and UCP supports have abandoned Kenney specifically..Loewen used the letter to inform Kenney he was immediately stepping down as chairman of the UCP caucus..“It is noteworthy that the letter contains no mention of the pandemic restrictions, focusing on the Premier’s arrogant, unresponsive and ‘needlessly inflammatory” dealings with Albertans, e.g. in his handling of negotiations with physicians, the Eastern slopes, and those seeking a response to their concerns,” said Williams..“This is a challenge the Premier will have to respond to..“One moderating influence may be concerns about the high COVID-19 case counts. Some may delay pushing for a change until those numbers are brought under control. That said, the clamour for a leadership review has intensified for weeks now, and even if Kenney contains this for the moment, his challenges appear likely to surface again in coming months. We will all be watching closely to see what the premier and his critics do next.”.Later Thursday morning, UCP MLA David Hanson has become the first to publically support his colleague Loewen..“Todd, I applaud your courage and stand behind your decision. I hear the same thing from our supporters in my area. I along with many of our colleagues share in your frustration,” Hanson wrote..“We, along with many Albertans worked too hard to unite Conservatives to hand this province back to the NDP. Thanks for taking a stand.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
There are comparisons between Thursday’s actions by rebel UCP MLAs and that of the dying days of the premiership of Alison Redford, says Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams..“It’s hard not to notice the similarities to Len Webber and Donna Kennedy-Glans challenging Alison Redford’s leadership, the difference being that this dissension has been more public for weeks,” Williams told the Western Standard..A former PC MLA and support of Kenney echoed Williams..“This feels like the dying days of Allison Redford’s premiership”..Early Thursday, Kenney’s leadership was dealt another serious blow as the first MLA in his own caucus called for him to step down as premier..Todd Loewen, UCP MLA for Central Peace-Notley in northwest Alberta, published a scathing letter saying Kenney refuses to listen to the public and to caucus members, that his leadership has failed, and UCP supports have abandoned Kenney specifically..Loewen used the letter to inform Kenney he was immediately stepping down as chairman of the UCP caucus..“It is noteworthy that the letter contains no mention of the pandemic restrictions, focusing on the Premier’s arrogant, unresponsive and ‘needlessly inflammatory” dealings with Albertans, e.g. in his handling of negotiations with physicians, the Eastern slopes, and those seeking a response to their concerns,” said Williams..“This is a challenge the Premier will have to respond to..“One moderating influence may be concerns about the high COVID-19 case counts. Some may delay pushing for a change until those numbers are brought under control. That said, the clamour for a leadership review has intensified for weeks now, and even if Kenney contains this for the moment, his challenges appear likely to surface again in coming months. We will all be watching closely to see what the premier and his critics do next.”.Later Thursday morning, UCP MLA David Hanson has become the first to publically support his colleague Loewen..“Todd, I applaud your courage and stand behind your decision. I hear the same thing from our supporters in my area. I along with many of our colleagues share in your frustration,” Hanson wrote..“We, along with many Albertans worked too hard to unite Conservatives to hand this province back to the NDP. Thanks for taking a stand.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
