Wildrose Party - Policy and Identity

Policy and Identity

Danielle Smith identifies herself as a fiscal conservative and while she believes in libertarian principles, the party is home to many social conservatives. Opponents have often characterised the party as extremist: former Liberal leader David Swann, in congratulating Smith on her election as leader, argued that Albertans would be "uneasy" with the "rather extreme, socially conservative, economically irresponsible vision of the party". Smith stated that controversial social issues would not play a part in the party's election platform.

Two task forces were created in late 2009 to help build party policy. The energy task force was announced first with the mandate to review the government's controversial changes to the provincial oil royalty scheme and the process for energy transmission, both of which the Wildrose Party argues has damaged Alberta's economy. The second task force was created to scrutinize the pay and benefits of MLAs and government employees. The party plans to launch additional task forces early in 2010, including those focused on agriculture and health care.

Election reform is a focus of the Wildrose Alliance. The party proposes to set fixed election dates rather than the current format which allows the Premier to call an election at any time. It would allow more free votes in the legislature and would seek to elect the province's Senators rather than have them appointed by the Prime Minister. The party also plans to introduce a bill giving voters the right to recall their MLA. The Wildrose Party proposes numerous changes to how the province delivers health care, which it claims will remain compliant with the Canada Health Act, as well as controls on government spending. The party is also critical of international climate change treaties, believing corruption and politicization have surfaced in the scientific peer review process, thus climate change science remains inconclusive. Opposing politicians have criticized the Wildrose Party's policies as vague and undefined (including the topic of gun ownership), while supporters have praised the party under Smith as "refreshing".

Polling indicated that the party has retained the support of a quarter of the electorate throughout 2010 as the party further attempted to define itself as not just a protest party but a party capable of forming government. By July 2011, the Wildrose's support had fallen to 16 percent, while PC support had risen to 51 percent.

However, by March 2012, the Party was polling the support of four-in-ten Albertans, showing significant improvement and a credible challenger to the PCs. In the 2012 Alberta election, held on April 23 of that year the Wildrose took 34.3% of the popular vote, and 17 seats. Despite this fourfold increase in seats from the previous election, Alison Redford's Tories still formed a majority government, with 44% of the popular vote and 61 seats.