Premier Jason Kenney will not enter the United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership race..And because his job now is to oversee “continuity” in government, he doesn’t plan to endorse anyone who does, he said..“No, and if that was the case I would have stepped down as leader earlier this week,” said Kenney during a radio call-in show Saturday when asked if he planned to run..Kenney announced he was stepping down as leader immediately after receiving 51.4% of the vote in his leadership review..“The result is not what I hoped for or frankly what I expected,” said Kenney after the results were announced Wednesday..“While 51% of the vote passes the constitutional threshold of a majority, it clearly is not adequate support to continue on as leader.”.“That is why tonight I’ve informed the president of the party of my intention to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party.”.Following a six-hour caucus meeting the next day, Kenney said he’ll stay on as leader until his successor is chosen, despite calls from some party members to have him step down immediately..Kenney told the radio audience he was surprised that support was so low but is proud of what he achieved..“I spent the better part of three years trying to get the free enterprise party united so we could ensure there wasn’t a vote split in the last election, had a lot of policy ambition that we’ve already achieved and so when I leave as premier, I will leave with my head held high,” said Kenney..Kenney blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and distrust of government overreach for the sharp decline in his popularity..He had led the UCP to a stunning 63-seat majority in the 2019 election..Kenney also echoed a previous claim that being too soft on dissidents was a mistake..“I demonstrated the greatest tolerance for internal dissent because I believe in the parliamentary system, and maybe one of my mistakes has been not maintaining stronger discipline like those other leaders,” said Kenney..The UCP will soon appoint a leadership election committee and establish rules for the race..To date, only Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean and former Highwood MLA Danielle Smith have announced they will run.
Premier Jason Kenney will not enter the United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership race..And because his job now is to oversee “continuity” in government, he doesn’t plan to endorse anyone who does, he said..“No, and if that was the case I would have stepped down as leader earlier this week,” said Kenney during a radio call-in show Saturday when asked if he planned to run..Kenney announced he was stepping down as leader immediately after receiving 51.4% of the vote in his leadership review..“The result is not what I hoped for or frankly what I expected,” said Kenney after the results were announced Wednesday..“While 51% of the vote passes the constitutional threshold of a majority, it clearly is not adequate support to continue on as leader.”.“That is why tonight I’ve informed the president of the party of my intention to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party.”.Following a six-hour caucus meeting the next day, Kenney said he’ll stay on as leader until his successor is chosen, despite calls from some party members to have him step down immediately..Kenney told the radio audience he was surprised that support was so low but is proud of what he achieved..“I spent the better part of three years trying to get the free enterprise party united so we could ensure there wasn’t a vote split in the last election, had a lot of policy ambition that we’ve already achieved and so when I leave as premier, I will leave with my head held high,” said Kenney..Kenney blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and distrust of government overreach for the sharp decline in his popularity..He had led the UCP to a stunning 63-seat majority in the 2019 election..Kenney also echoed a previous claim that being too soft on dissidents was a mistake..“I demonstrated the greatest tolerance for internal dissent because I believe in the parliamentary system, and maybe one of my mistakes has been not maintaining stronger discipline like those other leaders,” said Kenney..The UCP will soon appoint a leadership election committee and establish rules for the race..To date, only Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean and former Highwood MLA Danielle Smith have announced they will run.
