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Spring session wraps up with more PC leadership woes

Last week wrapped up the end of the spring sitting in the Alberta Legislature – which lasted an underwhelming seven weeks.

Last week wrapped up the end of the spring sitting in the Alberta Legislature – which lasted an underwhelming seven weeks. The Legislature won’t resume until October. Alberta has become home to one of the most absentee legislatures in Canada, as the PCs have gone from a party that governed in the interests of the province to governing in the interests of their party.

Usually, the government pulls the plug on session early because of some contentious piece of legislation or nagging embarrassment, but this time it’s so they can hit the hustings for the third PC leadership race in seven years.

It’s unfortunate that once again, the important business of governing this province will take a backseat to the internal leadership struggles of the PC party. As the party desperately tries to rehabilitate its image in the eyes of Albertans, important work on balancing the budget, eliminating waste and improving health care access will be put aside.

Albertans have grown tired of this government’s internal conflict and inability to put the province first. The PCs have spent much of the last decade dealing with leadership crises and struggling to figure out what kind of party they want to be.

The result has been a steady decline the consistency and quality of leadership Albertans expect in their government. The PCs used to be the party of good government. They are now the party of never-ending conflict.

This session was among the most politically charged and revealing Albertans have ever witnessed as the PC party disposed of yet another Premier.

As the drama unfolded, Albertans witnessed a governing dynasty crumble before their eyes, with cabinet ministers at each other’s throats, MLAs quitting caucus and open challenges to government leadership almost daily.

Never before have Albertans had a clearer look at just how deep the culture of entitlement runs inside the governing party.

Now, once again, the PCs will attempt another makeover to convince Albertans that they have changed by picking a new leader. Every insider candidate will claim to be an outsider. And the outsider candidate will have all the insiders on his side.

I don’t think Albertans will be fooled. This is a party that has lost the moral authority to govern – and it’s never been more obvious.

Over the next weeks and months – while the PCs sort out their leadership problems – Wildrose will be putting forward positive policy solutions to the issues Alberta faces.

The contrast will be sharp: Continue on with a broken political dynasty that can’t figure itself out or start fresh with a new government that is focused on the future.

As your MLA for Rimbey - Rocky Mountain House - Sundre, I value your feedback. Contact my office at (403) 638-5025, follow me on Twitter @joeanglin2, or find me on Facebook.