The race for the new leadership of the United Conservatives is underway after the Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney announced that he would resign.
Kenney garnered 51.4% support in his leadership assessment, which was just enough for him to keep his job within party rules.
But on Wednesday night, he said the results weren’t good enough for him to continue as leader, and many members asked for the chance to clear the air.
Two former leaders of the Wildrose Party, which merged with the Radical Conservatives to form the UCP in 2017, have signaled that they intend to run for leadership.
Brian Jean, who lost to Kenney in the newly inaugurated UCP leadership race and is an outspoken critic of Kenney, thanked the prime minister for the “decent and honorable concession”.
Danielle Smith, a radio host after her stint in provincial politics, said the results show the UCP is hungry for a leader who will fight for Alberta’s interests.
© 2022 Canadian Press
