Dear Editor;
I recently expressed my concerns with MLA Ronald Orr’s portrayal of the United Conservative Party (UCP) as a panacea for Albertan politics. I suggested that, as responsible Albertans, we have a duty to not blindly follow any political party, but remain vigilant and peel back the rhetoric that has recently defined Albertan politics .
Time has passed, but the UCP message remains the same.
On Aug. 2, Orr continued to suggest that all of Alberta’s ills could be placed at the feet of the NDP government and further that our only two choices were the NDP or the UCP. The idea that there are only two viable parties greatly overlooks the strong policies of the Alberta Party.
I have no great love for the NDP, but the constant UCP rhetoric causes great concern. We have significant challenges facing the province and the constant simplification of matters of ‘Notely did it’ is insulting and suggests a lack of understanding of these challenges.
Even a UCP government would be pressed to deal with the drop in revenue from decreasing oil prices of oil, which is firmly controlled by global forces. It’s an easy tactic to point blame at the NDP, yet we have never seen an actual alternative from the UCP.
Despite their oft-presumed fiscal responsibility, the UCP’s former firebrand finance critic (Derek) Fildebrandt was recently found to have double-dipped both his MLA housing allowance and food per diem expenses. There has also been an alarming alignment of UCP politicians and hateful groups.
I have always identified as a conservative and am greatly distraught by what I see as a usurpation of the conservative political wing by alt-right forces.
It is indeed time to get to work, but the UCP is not necessarily the vehicle for that.
I urge all Albertans to thoroughly investigate the options before us. The Alberta Party’s policies are strong and Greg Clark’s performance as a lone MLA has been admirable.
Myles Chykerda
Lacombe