As the Alberta weather changes, so too is its politics.
What are you happy or not happy with your Alberta Government?
Is it time for Alberta Opposition Leader, Rachel Notley to look to the centre of the political spectrum?
According to a recent survey published by the Angus Reid Institute, Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney’s UCP is now on a tie with Notley’s NDP.
38% of Albertans would support the UCP if an election were held today, putting them on a tie with the NDP.A CBC News-Road Ahead poll conducted in late May 2020 suggested 46% of Albertans said they would vote for the UCP, while 36% said they would vote for the NDP, similar to the survey in March.
Albertans are not happy with Premier Kenney government’s handling of the economy, the health care, education, unemployment, and financial deficit, the COVID-19 pandemic.
But who’s getting the UCP spoils?
Certainly not the NDP!
30% of the UCP’s support has drifted to other parties, the poll suggests the NDP has however held on to 96% of its support from 2019.This shows little growth in the NDP base. This indicates that Notley’s strategy to focus on disgruntled conservatives or “Red Tories” has yielded little result. It seems it’s time for Rachel to move slightly to the centre and go big on minorities to broaden her base as there seems to be little room left for growth on the left of the political spectrum with a rock solid support base.
The polls does not capture the racism troubles of the UCP and the views of minority voters that traditionally lean Centre.
9% of voters indicated they would support the centre-right Alberta Party, while 7% said they planned to support the Independence Party of Alberta. 8% indicated support for other parties.
“Jason Kenney is failing people, and he doesn’t seem to care. Everyday people write to us worried about losing their family doctor, wondering why the UCP seem so intent on picking fights with doctors during a pandemic, asking where the jobs Jason Kenney promised are, telling us life is becoming less affordable and they aren’t sure how they can make ends meet. We will keep on working to earn your support,” Rachel Notely.
A May Research Co. survey suggested 56% of those canvassed said Alberta would be better off without Premier Kenney in charge. But there’s no easy passage back to Rachel Notley without being strategic and going out of her comfort zone.
Chantelle Robinson, “This poll has the NDP leading significantly in Calgary and within the margin of error everywhere except southern Alberta. So, based on this poll the NDP would form a majority government. It is however one poll with a fairly small sample size so take it for what it is. One thing that is obvious and support by all recent polls is that Kenney and the UCP are bleeding support. Will it matter in 3 years? Maybe”.
Norman Gee, “Polling number for all of Alberta mean little. The UCP loss doesn’t seem to go NDP. If every single UCP voter in Edmonton switches to NDP, one seat would change. In rural there might be a few. Big question would be if an even split of the right would occur in Calgary once more so NDP can capture most seats again with approx their usual base”.
Cor Ector, “You are right, UCP has done exactly what they were elected to do. Repeal the business crushing carbon tax, no cuts to health and education, undo the corporate gouge tax rate, eliminate red tape, and get the critically required war room operating. Getting a handle on spending and a good budget was in the works till covid came along to blow everything up. All these items are step 1 in Alberta economic recovery. Step 2 means O’toole winning in the federal election ( hopefully sooner rather than later). Voting for the party that has no spending control and partnered up with justin to ruin Alberta and put us into this economic emergency when you live in the province is what is truly perplexing… (Edmonton) now”.
Johnny Credit, “Voting for the party that has no spending control? I know that you and the conservatives have much difficulty understanding math and numbers. Could you find some grade two student to explain to you that a $25 billion and growing deficit is much more uncontrolled than an NDP $6 Billion deficit was. Please, no one could be that stupid…”
Chantelle Robinson, “Well this isn’t surprising…though Im not sure why somebody would have voted for them last year and not support them now. They are doing exactly what everyone knew they would do which is put the interests of rich people, lobbyists and extremeists above those of average Albertans. I also don’t know why somebody would even consider voting for the Alberta Party or one of the other ones, that’s basically like throwing your vote away at this point. I will admit to enjoying watching this incompetent government and its terrible leader crash and burn, but it’s sad that the province has to suffer so much in the meantime”.
What are you happy or not happy with Premier Kenney?
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