Alberta Liberal Leader, David Swan, surprised some in the Alberta legislature by delivering what one columnist said was “one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard in the legislature; moving, eloquent, and at times, inspiring.” Don Braid, of the Calgary Herald, went on to say, “Nobody doubts Swann’s remarkable intellect or ethics; only his leadership skills are up for debate.”
Swan’s small caucus in the Legislature seems very circumspect of their new leader. Former Leader, Kevin Taft’s, instant breaking of the ban on question period heckling and one MLA going so far as to consider leaving the party this week are not good signs.
Worse still, today is Friday the 13th and things are not looking up for the Liberal Party of Alberta. It seems something is in the air in Alberta and blogger, former Liberal staffer, and progressive activist, Dave Cournoyer has something to do with it.
The rumours started earlier this year when the Herald trumpeted, “Despite a new Liberal leader at the helm, a movement is afoot among some Liberal supporters to start a new political party in Alberta.”
One month later the rumors became reality with the Herald reporting this emailed list of agenda items for the new group: “Liberal leadership results; followup on homework/next steps; leadership/name; interim spokesperson; and broadening the group–road show to Calgary!”
And today, perhaps to be known as Black Friday for the Alberta Liberals, Cournoyer “officially” opened the floodgates and asked this very provocative question and an offer to talk:
“Will a new political movement be created?”
He reported on Twitter he has already has 15 more interested Albertans. In my estimation all it will take to make this movement a reality is one Liberal MLA to sign on. And, when one Liberal MLA signs on – the Liberal Party of Alberta’s days are numbered.
