Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Alberta Digest: Seeking out the centre

Alberta politics are perhaps one of the most fluid in Canada, causes and parties sprout and disappear at a regular pace, offering up new themes on old ideas and with new faces for a new era.

The province that in the past brought us the days of government of Social Credit and such movements as the Reform Party and Western Canada Concept to name a few, has yet another new political project on the horizon, eager to offer up yet another option for Albertans to give thought to.

The latest addition to the Alberta political landscape is something called the Alberta Party, fashioned we imagine to a degree on neighbouring Saskatchewan's party with a similar moniker.

A home for the disenchanted with the status quo, hopeful that their offerings will find political acceptance among the electorate. It's into that space that the Alberta Party joins the debate in quest of some of those 83 legislature seats and a chance to shape the agenda of the province.

Independent MLA Dave Taylor has provided for the first bit of name recognition that the party has received, signing on with the Party on Monday and instantly touted as a possible leader of the fledgling movement.

With the more traditional Liberals and Conservatives still a force and the right of centre Wildrose Alliance making much noise these days, it would seem that the Alberta party is seeking to hold the centre, attracting dis-satisfied Liberals and Conservatives that aren't quite ready to lurch too far to the right side of the political spectrum.

Some of the background on the new movement in Alberta can be found below.

Globe and Mail-- In Alberta, a change in the political wind
Edmonton Journal -- Taylor's motive for switch still murky
Edmonton Journal-- Taylor gives heft to Alberta Party
Edmonton Journal-- MLA Taylor's switch to Alberta Party will 'hurt the Liberals,' prof says
National Post-- Former Liberal MLA joins fledgling Alberta Party
National Post-- A mixed blessing for Alberta's left
Calgary Herald-- Tories losing traditional political consensus
CHQR-- Professor says Alberta Party should look for disgruntled Tories

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