New Alberta conservative party meets, but loses caucus member
EDMONTON — Caucus members from Alberta’s two conservative parties got together for the first time Monday, but one Progressive Conservative bowed out before the joint meeting even took place.
Richard Starke, legislature member for Vermilion-Lloydminster, said he has not been happy with policy direction under PC Leader Jason Kenney and has no faith that will change under the new United Conservative Party.
Members of the Opposition Wildrose party and the Progressive Conservatives voted in a landslide on the weekend to join forces ahead of the next election set for 2019. The new party must still be registered with Elections Alberta.
“The tone and the direction and the statements of the (PC) party are not consistent with what I believe to progressive conservatism,” Starke said in an interview.