Lethbridge MLAs, mayor react to Danielle Smith becoming UCP leader

“Her style is very collaborative, very grassroots, making sure that every member, every constituency is listened to and their ideas are considered,” says Neudorf. “In Lethbridge, we’ve often felt a little bit left out of some of these decisions and making sure our voices are heard.”

Smith made her first appearance in front of the UCP caucus as its leader on Friday, October 7, 2022.

Neudorf, who also serves as the caucus chair, told LNN that it was a very productive meeting and Smith has already helped to bring the team together after the leadership race kept many members divided.

“That’s one of the key messages I heard Danielle share with our membership last night and our caucus again this morning, is we’re stronger together, we’re stronger when we work together, and as we broaden and strengthen that team from her, to her staff, to our cabinet, to our caucus, to our membership, to conservatives across Alberta, and the province as a whole,” says Neudorf.

I am incredibly honoured to be a part of this team!

Today, I had the privilege to meet with our @Alberta_UCP caucus and discuss the work we have ahead.

United, I can’t wait to see what we do next. #cdnpoli #abpoli #ableg pic.twitter.com/nYK2kTgaGI

— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) October 7, 2022

He says he is relieved that the race is over as it gives the party time to come together and work on its platform ahead of the spring 2023 provincial election.

Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips felt less optimistic about the new premier-designate.

The opposition NDP MLA called Smith’s politics a “recipe for more chaos.”

“There’s a number of ways that Danielle Smith has committed to more chaos and uncertainty for Albertans, more chaos and uncertainty for businesses, for healthcare workers, for patients, and very little in terms of vision for the future of the province and how we might build a more resilient economy,” says Phillips.

Phillips took aim at the proposed Sovereignty Act, which was one of Smith’s key campaign commitments.

The MLA believes the measure, which aims to give Alberta the authority to ignore federal laws it deems to not be in its best interests, would drive away business and create uncertainty for Albertans.

Phillips also spoke about how many of the UCP leadership candidates called for a greater sense of unity among conservatives and among Albertans in general. Since Smith won the race on the sixth ballot with a little more than 53%, Phillips believes that the UCP’s own base remains greatly divided on the direction the party should take.

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen issued a brief written statement in response to Smith’s victory.

“I’d firstly like to thank Premier Kenney for his dedication to the people of Alberta and for his leadership over what has been an unprecedented term in office,” says Hyggen. “I extend my congratulations to Premier-Designate Danielle Smith on her victory in the leadership race. We look forward to working with her and her team in continuing to find opportunities to advocate for the residents of Lethbridge.”

Smith won the UCP leadership despite not being a sitting member of the legislature.

On Friday, October 7, 2022, Michaela Frey announced her resignation as the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat and encouraged Smith to run in a by-election in her riding.

by David Opinko

Lethbridge MLAs, mayor react to Danielle Smith becoming UCP leader

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