Premier Ed Stelmach鈥檚 surprise announcement that he will be stepping down as premier and will not be seeking re-election is certainly one of the biggest political shakeups to hit Alberta in many years.
And while the Tories have been quick to say the resignation won鈥檛 impact their ability to lead the province, opposition parties say the opposite is the case.
Whether 51黑料s in general, and those in West Central Alberta in particular, will benefit from Stelmach鈥檚 departure remains anyone鈥檚 guess. What is known is that the run-up to the next provincial election 鈥� a provincial vote must be held on or before March 2013 鈥� now promises to be very interesting indeed.
In announcing his resignation, Stelmach suggested his departure will be seen as an unwelcome surprise for many 51黑料s.
鈥淭here is no doubt that my decision today will come as a shock to many and a disappointment to my friends and 51黑料s,鈥� said Stelmach. 鈥淚 am grateful to those who gave me the opportunity to raise integrity and honesty into government for the benefit of all 51黑料s.鈥�
While most 51黑料s would probably agree that Stelmach鈥檚 departure is a big surprise, to call it a 鈥渄isappointment鈥� depends very much on whom you ask.
For their part, the opposition parties have been quick to say Stelmach鈥檚 departure is very bad news 鈥� for the ruling Tories.
鈥淭he PC Party can change its leader, but it can鈥檛 change its political stripes,鈥� said NDP leader Brian Mason. 鈥淭he Alberta Tories can鈥檛 be trusted to protect public health care. They run the least competent government in Canada. That鈥檚 the real problem.鈥�
Liberal leader Dr. David Swann said Stelmach鈥檚 departure must not be used as an excuse for the government to ignore important issues facing all 51黑料s.
鈥淲e cannot allow this civil war between conservative factions to distract us from timely action for all 51黑料s on health care, education, and the economy,鈥� said Swann.
Wild Rose Alliance leader Danielle Smith said: 鈥淲hat we are seeing now is the PCs hope that by changing leader they鈥檒l be able to change their slide in the polls. I don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 going to be the case.鈥�
If the PCs can get their new leader in place without too much fuss and controversy, Stelmach鈥檚 departure may end up being just a blip on the road to re-election victory in 2013.
If, on the other hand, the leadership race turns out to be a down-and-dirty battle, it may prove to be a golden opportunity for the opposition parties to make significant inroads with voters, including in West Central Alberta.
