| Political world turning upside down |
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| Local Content - Editorial |
| Written by production |
| Thursday, 14 January 2010 15:52 |
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Rightly or wrongly, Alberta’s political landscape got a little more interesting this month when two Conservative MLAs defected to the fledgling Wildrose Alliance. Calgary-Fish Creek MLA Heather Forsyth and Airdrie-Chestermere MLA Rob Anderson crossed the floor, and it is rumoured more moves are on the way. If that comes to fruition, however, is yet to be seen. However, the defections do mark an important point in Alberta’s political history. In a province that has witnessed single-party rule for as long as the majority of voters can remember, does the Wildrose Alliance pose a threat? As history has shown in Alberta, when political dynasties fall here, they fall hard, and quickly. Alberta’s Liberal government, yes Liberals were once in power here, and won elections in 1905, 1909, 1913 and 1917, when the party had 34 of the 58 seats. The party fell flat in 1921, when the United Farmers swept into office with 38 seats, as the party went on to win elections in 1926 and 1930, before it imploded. In 1935, Social Credit won 56 seats, and crushed the United Farmers, and began a reign that lasted until 1971, when the Progressive Conservatives took office, with a 49-25 seat victory over Social Credit. After the 1979 election, Social Credit was finished, after two elections when the party gained only four seats each time. So, history suggests Albertans can take only so much of a ruling party, albeit, we do take an awful lot. Does the defection of a few MLAs mean the Conservatives are set up for a fall? Certainly, no one is suggesting that. The party has too much power, and has held office for too long to go away that quickly. However, it does signal some discontent in the air, particularly around Calgary. If Edmonton voters turn out en masse, and vote Liberal as they have in the past, it could make the next election a little tighter. Still, with its strong rural support, something catastrophic would have to happen for the Conservatives to fall any time soon. |
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