Sincere apologies to United Conservative Party (UCP) House Leader Jason Nixon..In April, it was reported Nixon made history by dropping the F-bomb for the first time in the Alberta Legislature Chamber..He did curse. .But apparently the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA was wrongly accused of being the first to blight the hallowed Chamber with such awful profanity..Nixon just got caught because his potty mouth spewed the bad word right into a mic when he got really, very angry with Independent MLA Todd Loewen..Circle back to sometime during Bullying Awareness Week November 15-19, 2021. .Morinville-St. Albert MLA Dale Nally was allegedly so displeased with Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie who expressed opposition to Premier Jason Kenney, he leaned into the back of Guthrie’s chair in the Chamber and called him a “motherless f…k.”.No, it wasn’t recorded in Hansard. It wasn’t caught on a mic. .But it was discussed the following week in caucus — right after a presentation on harassment in the workplace, sources have confirmed..And no, the behaviour of Nally, associate minister of natural gas and electricity, wasn’t considered inappropriate enough to get a scolding from the premier..The Western Standard reached out to Nally for comment, but he didn’t respond..This goes deeper than childish cursing here and there..Many allege bullying is par for the course in the Kenney regime. It subdues MLAs. .Subdued MLAs who feel compelled to tippy-toe around the premier and his unwavering stand on issues cannot serve their constituents well..“MLAs see this type of behaviour and collapse. They don’t want to be treated like that,” a source told the Western Standard..“Kenney really has this aura about him many MLAs feel he’s somebody who could really damage their future and career. They don’t want to be on the bad side of him,” said the party official..Many grumble about Kenney amongst themselves, then when he joins a conference call they obediently profess undying loyalty..Is that deception fair to him?.However, a few have challenged Kenney’s leadership style, going so far as to publicly call for him to step aside..And so that brings us to Kenney’s leadership review, the results to be announced Wednesday..Kenney set a low bar — 50% plus one — unacceptable to all premiers before him..Anything less, and he’s out..But he and supporters have expressed confidence that he’s got it wrapped up, that he’ll fare much better, perhaps receiving as high as a 70% approval rating..Such confidence is fine. No humility about why an early leadership review was forced, and apparently no regard for the unhappy people he has been graced with the tremendous responsibility of leading isn’t fine..Those who have their careers tied to Kenney may view a mere 50% plus one victory as adequate..But if Kenney prioritizes the well-being of the province, the UCP, and MLAs, then 50% plus one — or not much more than that — will not be acceptable..The question is, will anyone in the badly fractured caucus who has criticized Kenney’s leadership, crushing COVID-19 decisions that left many Albertans jobless, or callous attacks on the reputation of critics as racist and extremists, still fight for Albertans?.Or will they be the lemmings Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan, who called for Kenney to go, cautioned against last month?.Stephan delivered a formal statement before question period in the Legislature about unity, integrity, love, and truth..“There’s too much division,” said Stephan..“Some say ‘Of course we can have unity, if only you will agree with me.’ That’s not unity,” said Stephan about Kenney’s top-down, grassroots-shush-and-obey, leadership style that contributed to a revolt by many MLAs and members..“Some say unity requires you to follow the leader. But Mr. Speaker, what if you’re being led over a cliff? Should you follow like a lemming? No,” said Stephan..But will they? .The UCP caucus isn’t strong. .In fact, as the countdown to Wednesday neared, Kenney critics got quieter..One minister, who in the past challenged Kenney’s leadership, recently indicated he would not speak out now because “he likes his job too much.”.If Kenney nets a small majority, will MLAs who once declared themselves warriors for Albertans and their needs, shift into self-preservation mode and fall in line like Kenney commanded they’ll have to do?.The consensus appears to be if Kenney gets anything over 60% no one, excluding those who have leaderships aspirations of their own, will chime in to challenge him. .Will Kenney’s perceived failings not be important anymore?.If so, what was all the fuss about?.The UCP completed its verification stage of the review process. Ballot counting kicks off Wednesday..The results of the mail-in vote are expected to be announced sometime between 4-6 p.m. by Chief Returning Officer Rick Orman and UCP Board President Cynthia Moore — after they hand Kenney the verdict.
