Need to be ‘at the table:’ Wildrose leader, 8 others join Alberta government

EDMONTON – Alberta’s Opposition leader says she and eight of her Wildrose caucus colleagues joined the province’s Progressive Conservative government on Wednesday because they needed to be “at the table, not outside the door.”

Danielle Smith and Premier Jim Prentice took turns praising each other at a joint late-day news conference that confirmed speculation that had been swirling for two days.

“Today we stand together ready to move on from past partisan rivalries and lead Alberta with renewed focus and a strong sense of purpose,” said Smith.

She said her party had worked hard to push for balanced budgets, elimination of wasteful spending, a respect for property rights and ethics in government.

“Over the course of the last several months, I’ve become more and more convinced that these are values I share with Premier Prentice,” Smith said.

“Past premiers have merely paid lip service to these issues, saying the right things, and then doing the opposite, but Premier Prentice has shown me and my caucus that he is different.”

Smith’s resignation letter, released just before the news conference at Government House, said Prentice has indicated that any elected Wildrose members choosing to join his PCs will play “key roles in a united government.”

Prentice thanked Smith and said she showed great “personal courage” in her decision.

He suggested that the current global economic uncertainty makes it important for conservatives to work together and suggested he would welcome any other Wildrose members who want to join him.

“We need all conservatives pulling in the same direction,” he said.

“These (members of the legislature) are both wanted and needed in our government caucus as part of our team. Alberta is stronger today with these committed Albertans working together.”

Prentice said his government once again represents “the full diversity of voices and regions from across Alberta – north, south, urban and rural.”

Smith was asked what she would tell the 400,000 supporters who voted for the party, helped her campaign and donated money.

“I’m asking Wildrose members to come with us,” she replied.

She said she didn’t feel she could remain leader of the Opposition.

“If you’re going to be the official Opposition leader, you have to really want to take down the government and really take down the premier,” she said. “I don’t want to take down this premier.

“I want this premier to succeed and I want to be part and parcel of helping him succeed.”

Prentice and Smith are calling the move the “unification of Alberta’s conservatives

The defections leave the Wildrose with five sitting members in the 87-seat legislature. The Liberals also have five members and the NDP have four. Former Wildrose member Joe Anglin sits as an Independent.

It was not immediately clear Wednesday what party will form the official Opposition, given that the Liberals and Wildrose now have the same number of seats.