Kenney eager to present united-right option to voters

LETHBRIDGE – “I’m in a hurry to get this done.”

Jason Kenney says he’s anxious to present a united right-of-centre choice to voters in time for the next provincial election. Kenney is seeking the Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership on a mandate of negotiating a merger of the P.C. and Wildrose parties. Kenney outlined his reasons at a breakfast event in Lethbridge Monday, Dec. 19.

“A lot of Albertans feel a sense of, almost, despair right now with the economic direction and political direction of the province. And I just feel a sense of obligation to do what we can as quickly as possible to resolve this problem,” Kenney said in an interview. “This is why I gave up my seat after 20 years in Ottawa. I just gave up my only source of income. I’m making real personal sacrifices because I just thought that somebody had to get the ball rolling towards unity.”

Kenney said following approximately one-third of the delegate selection meetings his slate is running at around 80 per cent. But he added he’s not taking the support for granted. His plan, should he be elected leader in March, is to negotiate a framework with the Wildrose leadership before going to the grassroots with a referendum.