Kenney backbencher delivers blunt warning on ignoring party member concerns
A United Conservative backbencher is delivering a blunt warning to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney that his party is in trouble and needs to heed the growing concerns of its members.
“We have a caucus I think that is frustrated, and constituents that are frustrated, and of course membership,” Peter Guthrie said Tuesday in an interview.
“I just want what's best for the future of the party and what's best for the province and Albertans.
“I do feel that it can be (turned around), but we are 19 months to the next election, and we do need to start listening and paying attention to the signs that we're seeing and hearing.”
On Monday, Guthrie delivered the same message to Kenney, reading aloud in caucus a letter warning that the electoral fortunes of the party are sliding over the abyss.
“Public opinion continues to wane and we may be at a point where this party cannot be salvaged,” reads the letter.
“Winning back the favour of Albertans should be our priority.
“Humility and trust cannot be mere words.”
Guthrie declined to describe Kenney's reaction to his comments except to say, “Obviously, the premier defended his position.”
Kenney's office declined to comment.
Guthrie, in his letter, relayed particular concerns about a movement within the party to move up the date for a leadership review vote to determine whether Kenney still has their confidence.
If Kenney receives less than 50 per cent support in such a review, he is out.
The leadership vote is set for early April at the 2022 annual general meeting in Edmonton.
However, 22 constituency associations sent a letter to the party executive this week, noting they represent the required 25 per cent of boards needed to have the vote moved up to take place at a special meeting before March 1.
They say an earlier vote would allow all members to vote at home and not have to travel to Edmonton in April to cast a ballot.
They also acknowledge that for some of them, the move is driven by unhappiness over Kenney's leadership.
The UCP executive said they are now discussing the letter about moving up the leadership vote.
Guthrie noted that a resolution coming before the UCP's annual general meeting this weekend in Calgary seeks to amend bylaws to raise the threshold for such a motion to 29 constituency associations from 22.
The rationale is that 22 is too small a number to trigger such a potentially consequential vote.
Guthrie said a late motion to move the threshold sends a concerning signal from a party that claims to celebrate grassroots participation.
“It's going to look bad if they change it,” said Guthrie.
“If you move the goalposts from 22 to 29 CA's, I don't think the grassroots of the party are going to appreciate that.”
Kenney has declined to comment on an accelerated leadership review, saying the issue is up to the party.
The premier has faced rising discontent in his caucus and party in recent months tied primarily to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cases spiked in the fall, pushing hospital capacity to the brink after Kenney lifted almost all health restrictions and announced the pandemic was over.
UCP fundraising has been trailing that of the Opposition NDP and Kenney's approval numbers have been in freefall.
He has also faced calls from some caucus members to resign.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2021
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida
The 'extremely dangerous Category 3 hurricane' has made landfall near Siesta Key, Fla., according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Hundreds of thousands of popular vehicles recalled in Canada over steering issue
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a steering-related issue that could increase a driver's risk of crash.
'We want things to go forward': Bloc leader hints his party 'might' help end House impasse
The leader of the Bloc Quebecois says his party 'might play a role' in helping the Liberals get House of Commons business rolling again — after days of Conservative-led debate on a privilege matter — but that his assistance would come at a cost.
video Why are there cars in the Detroit River?
Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.
Washington state woman calls 911 after being hounded by up to 100 raccoons
Sheriff's deputies in Washington's Kitsap County frequently get calls about animals -- loose livestock, problem dogs. But the 911 call they received recently from a woman being hounded by dozens of raccoons swarming her home near Poulsbo stood out.
Pilot dies aboard Turkish Airlines flight, forcing emergency landing in New York
A Turkish Airlines jetliner headed from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday after the captain died on board, an airline official said.
Former CIA director says Israel 'unlikely' to target Iranian nuclear sites as retaliation
Former CIA Director and retired Gen. David Petraeus says it is 'unlikely' Israel will target Iranian nuclear sites in retaliation for last week's ballistic missile attack.
Rare Monet returned to family more than 80 years after it was stolen by Nazis
A Claude Monet pastel painting stolen by Nazis during World War II, which vanished for decades only to show up with a Louisiana art dealer, was returned Wednesday in New Orleans to the descendants of its original owners.
Women say they were kicked off of Spirit Airlines flight for what they were wearing
Two Orange County women are speaking out after they say they were kicked off of a Spirit Airlines flight because of what they were wearing.