Braid: The Perils of UCP Disagreeing With Danielle Smith

.

Appearing to criticize Danielle Smith’s plans can get you sanctioned in the UCP ranks, as Airdrie-East MLA’s Angela Pitt learned to her chagrin.

.

Last September, when former MLA Rob Anderson proposed an Alberta Sovereignty Act, Pitt was there with him and enthusiastically agreed.

UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith has now adopted the sovereignty plan. It took off like a rocket with many UCP sponsors. Her support could land her in the prime minister’s office after the Oct. 6 vote.

Pitt, the vice president of the legislature, still agrees with the proposal. But she had a problem.

He agreed to chair his colleague Rajan Sawhney’s leadership campaign. She and Sawney are friends and wanted to show that an urban moderate from Calgary and a rural right-winger could work together.

That was early in the leadership campaign, when many MLAs thought that all the public wanted was for the UCP to stop the infighting and get their act together.

.

Then came the candidates’ debate on July 27. Smith further connected his plan to nullify federal laws considered hostile to Alberta’s interests.

Sawhney attacked Smith more vigorously than any other candidate.

“A win for Danielle Smith today means a win for Rachel Notley tomorrow,” Sawhney said, referring to the NDP leader.

Calling Smith’s plan “risky and impetuous,” Sawhney added, “we may respond aggressively (to Ottawa) but the response is not to threaten sovereignty or separation.”

Pitt immediately began hearing from angry voters. Why was he supporting a candidate who opposes Smith?

On Sunday, Pitt said on Facebook: “I believe in a strong Alberta that will stand up to Ottawa and respect individual freedoms. . .

.

“With that, I am stepping away from my role as Rajan Sawhney’s campaign chairman.”

Pitt added that he was refocusing efforts to serve his constituents, praising Sawhney as a “wonderful, intelligent and compassionate person.”

One response from Facebook was: “Why you got involved in their campaign is beyond me. She is liberal.

Bowing to moderation and compromise is not working very well in this UCP campaign. They could even cost an MLA her horse nomination.

Pitt has not said whether he will now endorse Smith or any other candidate, but there is some movement toward Smith.

Nate Glubish, the Minister of Service Alberta, had been a strong supporter of former Treasurer Travis Toews.

“He’s smart, strategic and compassionate,” Glubish said after Toews’ announcement. “I’m sure Travis will make a great debut.”

.

On Monday, Smith’s campaign announced that Glubish had switched his endorsement to her.

He is the second UCP caucus member to do so, following Northern MLA Pat Renn. Smith’s campaign says more MLAs may follow from the Toews camp.

Glubish said modernizing government services is crucial and Smith is better placed to deliver better digital advances. In a statement, he did not mention the Sovereignty Act, nor Toews.

The cutoff for party membership sales in the leadership race comes on Friday, August 12. Only people who have valid memberships at that time will have the right to vote. The result will be announced on October 6.

At that point, all campaigns will likely be less public for a while, as candidates focus more on persuading party members through text messages and emails. “It’s been exhausting,” said a campaign manager.

.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Jason Kenney is likely to announce his choice to replace Doug Schweitzer as minister for jobs, economy and innovation.

Schweitzer resigned from the cabinet last Friday and will also resign as Calgary-Elbow MLA. This is the fourth cabinet vacancy that Kenney needs to fill due to leadership resignations.

Kenney himself is now just two months away from his final days as prime minister. However, before leaving the job, he plans to leave the province.

His office said on Monday: “Prime Minister Kenney is continuing full speed ahead in attracting investment that may involve a mission abroad before he leaves office.”

Don Braid’s column appears regularly in the Herald.

Twitter: @DonBraid