Brian Jean took a walk down memory lane Wednesday night when he launched his campaign to become leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP) and premier of Alberta. .Some memories are haunting..The Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA and former Wildrose Party leader recalled how Albertans “dumped a 40-year dynasty in their anger” in 2015 when they humiliated the seemingly invincible PC Party and ushered in the “disastrous” NDP with a big majority..Comfortable Albertans, “almost half” of whom never voted before, were “upset” with the Conservatives..“Albertans began to rebel against political arrogance; against the petty corruption of lobbyists and gatekeepers; against politicians who didn't listen and who didn't respect them,” Jean told a crowd of supporters gathered in the Platinum Ballroom of Edmonton’s Courtyard Marriott Hotel..“They voted against the things they didn't like in the PC party; even though they knew there were things about the NDP they really, really disliked… It’s never comfortable for an Albertan to hold his or her nose and vote for the least bad option.”.Then the UCP — a merger of the PC and Wildrose Party — rode in, gaining trust with stunts like kicking up gravel in a blue truck and hanging around gas stations like regular folk for photo ops..Big promises were made about “grassroots guarantees" and “servant leadership" and “work hard, stay humble, earn every vote,” said Jean. .Albertans rewarded the UCP with 63 of 87 provincial seats in 2019..“And then no delivery. The grassroots were not consulted.”.And today? Deja vu anyone?.Well, the gatekeepers, those with vested interests, and the lobbyists have been busy steering Alberta’s direction, said Jean..“The backroom money lobbyists and insiders have profited from every decision they’ve influenced, and they have profited from every failure they’ve caused.” .“Meanwhile, normal everyday Albertans like you have suffered. We have been left behind, and we have not been listened to. We have been disappointed, time and time again. Albertans haven’t profited or benefited in any way from the mistakes and the missed steps and the missed opportunities.”.There’s a chillingly legitimate fear fed up Albertans may hold their noses in May 2023 and usher the NDP in again. .“We run the risk that the anger of everyday Albertans will return us to the shrill anger of an NDP,” warned Jean..The grassroots have been insulted by a UCP leadership that “looked entitled and arrogant.”.“Passing laws that were never put into force, even as they bragged about them in political speeches. Needless fights were picked with the everyday Albertans who are central to our rural and small-city communities — our doctors, nurses, and teachers.”.Albertans haven’t taken kindly to that. That’s why there are “fresh voices starting to echo through today’s politics,” said Jean..“There’s been a shift. People who have never participated before, who have been on the sidelines, who aren’t, say, political by nature, they’re here. They’re awake, they know they need to be involved, need to listen, need to be heard; they want to make a difference. And they will.”.In May, UCP members rebelled by giving Premier Jason Kenney a paltry 51.4% in his leadership review. Kenney will step down once his successor is chosen in the leadership vote on October 6..But Kenney didn’t shut out so-called unwashed Albertans all by himself. Those who embraced the principles of his dismissive, elitist attitude towards Albertans still lurk in legislature seats and comfy offices chairs..Proof lies in the bad aroma of elitism — no lessons learned — that wafted out of the UCP when it announced rules for the leadership contest requiring a $175,000 entrance fee Tuesday. Coupled with high campaign costs, the requirement will force some good candidates out of the race..Jean didn’t talk about that..But he did talk about his plan for Alberta,.“Autonomy for Albertans is the central theme of this campaign. Personal autonomy. Personal financial autonomy, professional autonomy, community autonomy. And Alberta's greater autonomy within Canada,” he said..There’s a need to “revive, revitalize and renew” the UCP — starting with the leadership race..Getting more Albertans involved in the political scene is necessary to steer the party in the right direction and control its destiny..He’ll rely on grassroots supporters to keep things focused..Jean outlined his approach to several key issues, including energy, a fair deal, equalization, agriculture, health, and dealing with the federal government. .In the coming weeks he’ll “champion” ideas to ensure Albertans are the “happiest, healthiest, the most free, and most prosperous people in Canada and the world.” .He’s not been seeing much happy in his travels..“As I travel the province and speak with Albertans, I hear time after time that we’ve lost some of that Alberta joy, that Alberta enthusiasm that used to define us. Albertans used to be the most optimistic forward-looking people in Canada. Now, we are angrier at government, and angrier at each other, and one thing is certain ... electing angry people or voting with anger in our hearts just guarantees more anger.”.“We can recapture that happiness, joy and optimism, that characterized the Alberta I grew up in and that I want my daughter to grow up in.”
