Jansen’s NDP defection risky, could pay off: political scientist

She was recently a candidate for the Progressive Conservative leadership, now she’s the newest member of the NDP.

Talking about the defection, two-term Calgary-North West MLA Sandra Jansen said extremists are taking over her former party.

The sudden move from right to left came as a surprise to some, but not everyone.

Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams says it’s a historic decision but it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“What we have is reactions by two former leadership candidates for the Progressive Conservative leadership saying that there is no home for moderate conservatives in the Progressive Conservative party,” she said.

As for whether or not voters will punish Jansen for the floor crossing in the next election, Williams says it was a principled move so the electorate may be okay with it.

“You may recall David Kilgour years ago with the federal government, left the federal Progressive Conservatives over GST,” she explained. “He basically was standing on principle and representing his constituents, listening to them, and it was seen as a principled move and they voted him in as an Independent and even when crossed the floor ultimately to become a Liberal.”

But she says it could still be a risky move if voters see it as opportunistic or for political gain.

“That’s what happened when Danielle Smith and the others (Wildrose members) crossed the floor to join the Conservatives,” she said. “I think it was not seen as particularly principled, I think it was seen as a craven move for political power, an attempt to keep their jobs because they didn’t think they had a home in the Wildrose Party anymore but they didn’t want to leave the legislature.”

Williams adds the move also suggests the NDP may be seen as a more centrist party.

“That in spite of its name it’s quite pragmatic and balanced,” she said.

With that being said, Williams says the crossing may still do more harm to the PCs than good for the current government.