Tory leadership hopefuls discuss early exit for Stelmach
Posted Mar 21, 2011 8:30 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Getting Premier Ed Stelmach to step down earlier than planned is said to be on the agenda at a Monday meeting of the Progressive Conservative caucus.
There are reports many Tory leadership hopefuls are concerned that a September exit would not leave his replacement with much time.
With preparing a provincial budget, nominating a cabinet and getting the party election ready, some are hoping to convince the premier to step down in June.
Mount Royal University political scientist Dr. David Taras tells 660News that might be the party’s best option.
“Whoever wins wants their opportunity to put their stamp on government, to re-imagine the party, to re-image the party and to kind of put the party on reset,” he says.
Some camps have confirmed that informal talks have taken place and they are optimistic that a possible agreement can be reached.
Taras adds that’s good news because getting this race behind them will be important for the future of the Tories.
“The polls show that people are looking at the Wildrose, they’re looking at other alternatives, there does seem to be a wind of change blowing across the province,” he says. “There is a sense that the party’s destiny is really at stake or at a crossroads.”
After their private meeting, hopefuls will meet with the rest of the party to discuss campaign rules and election procedures.
If Stelmach resigns as planned after the spring sitting of the legislature, a vote wouldn’t take place until September 17th, with a run-off vote on October 1st.
