Last week, an Angus Reid poll puts the Wildrose Alliance 14 points ahead of the governing PC party. Since Danielle Smith became leader of the Wildrose in October, the short-term growth of the party has been astonishing. The Wildrose only has one seat in the Assembly; however, the past two months have demonstrated that Smith has her thumb on the pulse of Albertans.
Since becoming leader, Smith has organized a series of expert task forces to provide recommendations on everything from energy policy to MLA compensation packages, which will then be put to party members to be debated and for final approval. The Wildrose have rightfully ascertained that the average Albertan wants a say in how the province is being run, and it is paying huge dividends in public support.
On the government side of the equation there has been rumors swirling that a cabinet shuffle can be expected in early January. This will give the Premier a chance to shuffle out unpopular Ministers and give Cabinet a boost of new blood and talent. One would expect that Ted Morton may be the beneficiary of a more prominent ministry. Currently the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development, Morton’s political and ideological background speaks to the disgruntled Tories who are leaving for the Wildrose Alliance.
The Premier has also instituted changes in his communications shop. His communications director will not have his contract renewed at the end of January, and the Premier has embraced the use of digital media. However, it’s going to take more than a few targeted emails and tweets to regain the trust of Albertans. The Legislature is not expected to come back until early February. This gives Stelmach two months to reacquaint himself with Albertans. He should be holding town hall meetings in all 83 ridings throughout Alberta. By engaging the grassroots he may be able to put the brakes on the PC Party’s unprecedented drop in public support.
