The Politics of Self-Preservation
People keep asking me:
"Why aren't more UCP MLAs speaking up?"
Having sat in that caucus and around the cabinet table, I think I know the answer.
Self-preservation.
When speaking up carries political risk, too many choose silence.
In a healthy system, your first responsibility is supposed to be your constituents and the public interest - then your party - and lastly, the leader.
But when that order gets flipped, political survival starts to outweigh doing the right thing.
That's why you're seeing so many MLAs suddenly trying to change the narrative around separation and extremism.
The politics shifted.
Albertans started paying attention and suddenly some MLA’s found their voice.
But leadership isn't changing your message when the polls change.
Leadership is standing up when the chips are down.
#abpoli #ableg #alberta #albertatory #cdnpoli #leadership
Elections Alberta says the October referendum will require hiring at least 60,000 workers and printing 45 million ballots.
That will cost Albertans nearly five times what the last provincial election cost — up to $100 million — all so Danielle Smith can keep her deal with the separatists.
Imagine what that money could do for healthcare, education, or addressing the affordability crisis.
The UCP and Danielle Smith have the wrong priorities.
@RealTalkRJ@supriyadwivedi One could say that was a meeting of 2 government leaders on their way out. CAQ is running on borrowed time. Smith might be Kenneyed shortly after.
Danielle Smith is pushing a separatism vote to save herself, and we’re the ones who pay for it.
This isn’t now just about Alberta’s future. It’s about her political survival.
#ableg#canpoli#abpoli
"If you are doing this for the separatists, if you're giving them the microphone, the money, the power, everything- then you're a separatist."
Naheed Nenshi on Danielle Smith's assertion that she supports Alberta staying in Canada.
Danielle Smith's latest move — a referendum on whether to have another referendum — gives separatists yet another set of advantages.
And it's been left up to committed federalists to settle the fight she's started.
My latest.
🔗 https://t.co/YPsu65S0Wt
Adrian Dix: "It's disappointing that to internally unite the right in Alberta people will play double or nothing with the country ... sometimes the federal government makes decisions I don't like either. But I don't think Canadians believe that you should put the country at stake because of that. I think it's shocking."
Lady, I’m sorry but Avi Lewis is polling at like 6%.
We’re having a separation referendum because you’re too weak to kick the seppies out of your party and caucus.
There is no other reason we’re in this right now. None.
Danielle Smith’s weakness will tear apart her party.
All hell is breaking loose in Alberta.
@the_lineca's @jengerson says Premier Danielle Smith should pull the plug on the Oct. 19 referendum. Is she right?
👀 FULL: https://t.co/rW9AV61doT
🎧 FULL: https://t.co/DWVQJNxluG
#abpoli#ableg#cdnpoli#RealTalkRJ
Wake up, Alberta. The separatists behind the voter data leak scandal will stop at nothing to break Canada apart.
👀 FULL: https://t.co/IwjKXoDs0P
🎧 FULL: https://t.co/6gI1AvLZZz #abpoli#ableg#cdnpoli#RealTalkRJ
Jason Kenney was supportive of me when my records were unlawfully accessed by Lethbridge Police Service, so now it’s time to return the consideration.
No one deserves this, and it is high time for there to be consequences for targeting people for their time in public service.
BREAKING!
After having his corporate offices searched last week and intense pressure from the NDP yesterday, Invest ALberta has quietly announced via their web page that Danielle Smith appointed board member, Sam Jaber, who was also Sam Mraiche's business partner is taking a leave of absence!
#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli