To the Editor:
It’s praiseworthy to unite like-minded conservatives under one political entity. This July, both the PC and Wildrose parties will vote to merge into one entity called the United Conservative Party. The proposal, while laudable on its surface, raises some serious questions about the motives and integrity of the architects of the merger.
Among the fundamental principles of conservatism is the basic tenet of limited government. Thus the Wildrose party’s popularity soared on a wave of opposition to the landowner Bills 19, 36 and 50. Not surprising, the PC’s popularity correspondingly dropped. What happened?
Simply put, those in power stopped listening to Albertans, and concluded that a centralized authoritarian government was preferable to a messy democratic process that allowed for local participation. To exacerbate matters, the bureaucracy had evolved into a netherworld of nepotistic appointments.
Since 2012, the Wildrose has embraced nepotism. Hypocrisy is rampant! Wildrose leader Brian Jean formed a new political entity to replace the Wildrose without the consent of the membership. Dissent (free speech) is now grounds for membership revocation. While former floor-crossers are denied party membership, the main architect of the crossing is Jean’s main confidant. Now members are asked to support an agreement that gives absolute authority to Jean’s appointees to approve candidate nominations.
The vote in July should be a vote of no confidence on Jean’s leadership, and Vitor Marciano’s future with the party. Surrendering grassroots rights for an authoritarian power grab to become what led to the PC party’s demise is a bad start. Jean and his obsequious MLAs need to be turfed! The PC membership voted on Kenney’s agenda. Jean hid his agenda from the Wildrose membership for two years, thus denying them an opportunity to vote. Like his predecessor, Jean is sabotaging the party’s sovereignty. Why rush? A no vote resets the clock. Joe Anglin,
Rimbey, Alta.
