Wildrose poised for majority in Alberta

Globe & Mail [left-wing] ^ | 3 Apr 2012 | Josh Wingrove & Dawn Walton

[docbnj]

A new poll has put Alberta's Wildrose Party firmly on track for a majority government, holding a 13-point lead over the incumbent Progressive Conservatives who just months ago were a shoo-in for victory.

The poll was conducted Monday and Tuesday through an online panel of 1,050 respondents and shows the right-wing Wildrose at 43 per cent of decided voters, the PCs [Progressive Conservatives, “Tories”] at 30, the New Democrats [leftist] at 12 and the Liberals at 11 per cent province-wide. Of those sampled, 19 per cent were undecided.

[docbnj]

One must read through the bias to get the message, but this is really a swing toward more conservative politics in the booming province of Alberta. The Wild Rose is the provincial flower of Alberta.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Very interesting. A typical description of Wildrose is “Conservative-Libertarian”, much of which is opposition to socialist economic and social policies and excessive conservative social controls. Which sounds like something the US could use a healthy dose.

[Dr. Sivana]

The Albertan Progressive Conservatives had been puching for a law controlling content of homeschooling. Specifically, one could not instruct your own children about moral problems with perversion as part of the school day.

I don’t know why, but even Alberta’s “Conservative” establishment can’t resist going stupid.

My Canadian wife laments our two party system, as it makes it next to impossible for a Wildrose or a Reform Party to spring up.

[Corporate Law]

The National Post presents a little more balanced POV than the G&M. They have been hammering the Progressive Conservative leadership hard and giving Wildrose a little better spotlight.

[Buckeye McFrog]

hmmmmm.....so a new conservative party is advancing the cause of Conservatism by taking on and defeating the old stale “conservative” party and pushing things in a more conservative direction?

hmmmm....are there any lessons to be drawn for those of us south of the 49th. parallel?

[GreenLanternCorps]

hmmmmm.....so a new conservative party is advancing the cause of Conservatism by taking on and defeating the old stale “conservative” party and pushing things in a more conservative direction?

hmmmm....are there any lessons to be drawn for those of us south of the 49th. parallel?

Actually not. Canadian party politics, particularly at the provincial level and particularly in the West, has always been a lot more fluid than US State or national parties.

Alberta has had four different parties form the government since 1905. Forming a new party in Alberta is a way to break a leadership stranglehold. A new team can break up an old team, because Alberta is a Westminster style Constitutional Monarchy where the Lieutenant Governor appoints a Premier and Cabinet from the largest party in the legislative assembly.

That is not the case in the US, which has less party discipline and is much more focused on the individual office holder as opposed to a "team" approach that you need in a parliament. Here the best option for a party "revolt is to work from the ground up to take over a party apparatus.

[GreenLanternCorps]

hmmmmm.....so a new conservative party is advancing the cause of Conservatism by taking on and defeating the old stale “conservative” party and pushing things in a more conservative direction?

hmmmm....are there any lessons to be drawn for those of us south of the 49th. parallel?

Actually not. Canadian party politics, particularly at the provincial level and particularly in the West, has always been a lot more fluid than US State or national parties.

Alberta has had four different parties form the government since 1905. Forming a new party in Alberta is a way to break a leadership stranglehold. A new team can break up an old team, because Alberta is a Westminster style Constitutional Monarchy where the Lieutenant Governor appoints a Premier and Cabinet from the largest party in the legislative assembly.

That is not the case in the US, which has less party discipline and is much more focused on the individual office holder as opposed to a "team" approach that you need in a parliament. Here the best option for a party "revolt is to work from the ground up to take over a party apparatus.

[GreenLanternCorps]

oops, did not mean to post twice

[JSDude1]

I agree-that’s why I think we Americans should push for (statewide)- A “fusion” type system in each individual state. It would allow for cross-party endorsements and third part conservative parties would have considerable influence while not being “vote splitters”. IMO it would keep Republicans in a lot of states “more conservative” and in others would allow conservative political parties to replace the Republican party!

[JSDude1]

I agree-that’s why I think we Americans should push for (statewide)- A “fusion” type system in each individual state. It would allow for cross-party endorsements and third part conservative parties would have considerable influence while not being “vote splitters”. IMO it would keep Republicans in a lot of states “more conservative” and in others would allow conservative political parties to replace the Republican party!