Conservative caucus to decide if it will allow Wildrose defectors in

Alberta Premier Jim Prentice’s caucus will meet Wednesday to discuss a bid by members of the official opposition to cross the floor.

Saying they were blindsided by the news some Wildrose MLAs would be leaving for the PCs, there are a lot of people connected to the Wildrose who are not happy.

The list of defectors is believed to include leader Danielle Smith, Rob Anderson and Jason Hale, with several more rumoured to be on the way out.

Wildrose VP of Fundraising Jeff Callaway told City News there was a never a meeting about this, and it came as a complete surprise.

“We had a Christmas party with a bunch of volunteers, candidates and MLAs Friday evening and no one had any idea at that time what was going on,” he said, explaining this deal was negotiated behind closed doors, and no one in the party except for those planning to leave were involved.

Callaway said Wildrose party executives are resigned to the fact that they will be losing a handful of members, but explained the Wildrose won’t be going anywhere, adding it’s a risky business for those crossing the floor.

“There are no guarantees for them and it’s not just whether the PCs will accept them, it’s also whether their own constituents will accept them,” he said.

He stated there will not be a merger between the parties, explaining it’s just self-preservation on the part of those leaving and their desire to get into power.

University of Lethbridge political scientist Dr. Geoffrey Hale said the defections could reinforce a dangerous perception.

“That there are too many people in public life already who are in it for themselves and not for the voters,” he explained.

University of Alberta Political Scientist Jim Lightbody doesn’t think this move will make any difference in Alberta Politics.

“Given what’s going on in the world with the international economy and given the big concerns that confront Albertans and their government in putting together a budget, this is really small potatoes,” he said.

He doesn’t understand why the PCs would want any part in adding more members to its enormous caucus.