Stable outlook for Wildrose with Jean’s decisive victory: political scientists

A wild weekend in Alberta politics saw the Wildrose try to gain some stability after months of turmoil.

Former Tory MP Brian Jean has been declared the winner of the leadership position of the province’s opposition.

The experts are still split on whether or not the party will be able to bounce back, but there is some agreement that Jean makes sense as the next leader.

David Stewart, University of Calgary Political Scientist, tells City News Jean’s decisive victory shows the party is unified.

“I think he’s the leader that can show a different direction than the runner up could have,” he said.

Mount Royal University’s Lori Williams adds Jean is reasonably well known, even though he doesn’t yet have the public profile of Former Leader Danielle Smith.

“It’s up to him now to build that profile. I think he probably was the leading candidate in the run up to the leadership and everybody’s going to be looking for what he wants to do as the leader of the Wildrose, from here forward,” she said.

It is unlikely Jean’s time with the Wildrose will meet the same end Smith’s did, as the former leader crossed the floor to join the governing Progressive Conservatives.

Jean promised to sign a contract between himself and the party for $100,000 in liquidated damages if he crosses the floor.

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