Former UCP MLAs plan to revive Alberta’s Progressive Conservative Party

What’s old can be new in Alberta politics.

Two former UCP MLAs are hoping to bring back the party that governed the province for more than four decades.

Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair say they are petitioning to re-register the Progressive Conservative Party brand in Alberta.

The two independent MLAs, who were kicked out of the UCP for criticizing Smith’s handling of finances and crises, hope to resurrect the party this fall.

They made the reboot announcement on the “Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen” podcast on Wednesday.

The pair cited dissatisfaction with Premier Danielle Smith, separatism and fiscal mismanagement as major reasons for wanting to bring back the Progressive Conservative Party, which was in power in Alberta from 1971 to 2015.

“The United Conservative Party has gone way off base, from fiscally, we are looking at a 23 per cent increase in the (…) expenses over the last three years. That’s when Danielle Smith came in,” Guthrie said on the podcast.

Guthrie and Sinclair say their party would offer an alternative to Alberta voters who don’t feel represented by the values of the UCP, including what they see as a growing sentiment for separatism with the party’s ranks.

“If you don’t want separation, then why would you pass legislation to make the referendum easier?” Sinclair asked.

After a 44-year dynasty in Alberta, the Progressive Conservative Party lost to the NDP in 2015 and merged with the Wildrose Party two years after that to form the United Conservative Party (UCP).

Former UCP legacy brand

Shortly after Wednesday’s announcement, Premier Smith questioned the legality of them using the PC brand.

“Elections laws make it clear that new parties can’t use the name of the former legacy parties of the UCP, and the reason for that is to avoid confusion with voters, so we expect the law to be followed and we are going to be following up with Elections Alberta accordingly,” Smith said.

“But generally speaking, this is a province that there are always new parties forming, and if they can put forward do so in a legal way, then it’s a positive to have lots of options. It’s good for democracy.”

When asked about the possibly splitting of the conservative vote, Smith says Alberta has always had multiple parties on the ballot. She pointed to last election, which included several conservative parties, but said voting results showed Albertans like what the UCP has to offer.