CALGARY – POLITICS – The meltdown of the Alberta provincial Wildrose Party that saw former party leader Danielle Smith lead eight other MLAs to cross the floor and join the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party has raised the level of distrust in politicians.
In coming to their decision, the MLAs who cross the floor consulted with Reform Party founder, and head of the Manning Centre, Preston Manning.
Now, Mr. Manning in a move to apparently distance himself from the former Wildrose MLAs, has issued a statement:
“As you will know, last week I was asked to meet with members of the Wildrose caucus to share my experience in “uniting the right” at the federal level.
“That experience – which led to the creation of the Canadian Alliance – involved a democratic process of discussion with grassroots members, several consultative referendums, large conferences on principles and policy, a vote on acceptance or rejection by party members, and ultimately subjecting the results to electors in the 2000 federal election.
“My failure to strongly recommend a similar process to the Wildrose caucus was a mistake on my part. It was a disservice to those who sought my counsel and to those who have placed their trust in my commitment to democracy – a mistake for which I now sincerely apologize to all concerned.”
Preston Manning
