Alberta opposition parties to recruit Manning

Albertans are already sick and tired of the pig farmer Ed Stelmach. It finally seems to dawn on them that they should have gone to the polls in March, instead of staying home and watching hockey, with most probably completely unaware that there was an election on. For now, though, Albertans will have to toughen it out and endure four years of pig farming in Edmonton. The damage to this province will be immense, and whoever is elected to pick up the pieces four years from now will have a hell of a job on their hands.

Which is why tomorrow's Alberta must be shaped today. The opposition parties, Liberals and NDP, have started a process of looking into various options, such as merging their two parties or creating a brand new party from scratch:

As Alberta's opposition parties consider a strategic alliance for the next election, Calgary Liberal MLA David Swann has been quietly meeting with MLAs and other interested people about starting a new party based on green politics, accountability and democratic reform.

After their defeat (not really: with only 22% of the voting public, the Tories can barely claim victory, let alone a majority government when the overwhelming majority of Albertans did not vote Tory), the opposition parties have realized that they need a new approach. This is a very good sign, because change can come only from admitting to one's mistakes and flaws.

But an even better and brighter sign is out there: Swann plans to recruit Preston Manning to tap his experience with starting new political parties. Nothing says "We have learned our lesson, we repent, and we are ready to move on and provide Albertans with a truly unbeatable alternative to the Tory pig farmers" like calling on the master himself, Preston Manning.

Kudos to Dr. Swann for doing the right thing.

Afterthought: Since the election, Dr. Swann has had a lot of exposure, doing most of the "mouthpiecing" for the Alberta Liberals, while leader Kevin Taft has been stashed away in a closet somewhere. I think Dr. Swann will be the next party leader in a matter of months.

Comments

[Rhys Courtman]

Good idea - one that's been touched on before on this blog.

But, on second look, it says nothing about 'recruiting' Manning - and Manning has been steadfast in his retirement from politics (don't blame him, either...); just that they're going to have a sit-down with him to discuss his experience with Reform. I think that's a worthwhile discussion that anyone looking at a new political endeavor would do well to have.

Either way, that's a positive development. Perhaps if they're willing and open to talk to Manning, they'd be willing to talk to some of the Reformer remnants that are still in politics (like the Alberta Party - if just for the name!) as well....

[Werner Patels @ Ideas-Issues.com]

Things are rolling, or at least appear to be -- that's all we can ask for at this point. At least someone is making an effort (since the Tories are not willing to).