It isn't just in Alberta where both the selection of a new Progressive Conservative leader and the parallel unite-the-right movement are foundering.
Across Canada the political landscape right of centre, including what were once called the Red Tories and the Blues, is missing a defining and compelling leader or leadership candidate.
In Alberta, Jason Kenney is in a rear-view mirror and the other putative candidates are lightweights.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean isn't yet ready for the big time as his slips of the tongue have demonstrated this summer.
There are three centre-right premiers in Canada at the moment. Two – Brad Wall in Saskatchewan and Darrell Pasloske in the Yukon, lead conservative parties that cannot bear the name “conservative” and thus dilute the brand.
The third –Manitoba's new premier Brian Pallister has been an embarrassment to Conservatives and is ill equipped to be a centre-right role model.
Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay's decision last week not to seek the leadership of the federal party that he and Stephen Harper created diminishes that choice.
MacKay's decision not to seek the leadership of his party makes perfect personal sense. He has moved on as a husband, father and Toronto lawyer.
Peter MacKay's career path is similar to that of Peter Lougheed, who left politics in his mid-50s and had a second career as a stellar lawyer.
It is early days for the May 27, 2017 leadership decision.
The federal Conservative Party has the seven dwarfs as declared or putative candidates for its May 27, 2017 leadership decision. MPs Kellie Leitch, Maxime Bernier, Michael Chong, Lisa Raitt, Andrew Scheer and Michelle Rempel have one thing in common – they are not “A” list conservatives.
Tony Clement is an “A” lister but has passed his best-before date.
I haven't listed Kevin O'Leary. He is qualified to be a political dwarf, but he is also a punchline.
What this will add up to is a long hiatus
The centre-left and left, including Alberta's NDP government and the federal Liberals, are settling in for a spell.
- Frank Dabbs is a veteran political and business journalist, author of four books and editor of several more.
