Brian Jean says he believes that if the upcoming UCP leadership review is fair and transparent Jason Kenney will be forced into a leadership race.
Elected in the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche riding last month, Jean is an outspoken critic of Kenney and says if there is a leadership race he will be seeking the top job. Kenney will have to decide if he also run again for the leadership of the party if he is removed in the leadership review. Former Wildrose leader turned PC caucus member, Danielle Smith, has announced she will run for MLA in the Livingstone Macleod riding, and if elected would consider running for the leadership of the UCP party as well.
The leadership review was initially scheduled to take place in Red Deer on April 9, but has been changed to a mail-in ballot process, with the ballots going out to UCP party members on April 9 and the results to be released next month.
In an exclusive interview Tuesday, Jean says he does not believe Kenney will get the required 50 per cent plus one support of party members to retain the leadership.
“I believe that if this race is fair that Mr. Kenney will receive a clear signal from Albertans to leave, that they have had enough of this gong-show,” said Jean. “The numbers are there, the numbers are clear. The numbers are that Albertans will win this and Jason Kenney will pack his bags and be gone.
“The party must be democratic so the institution itself is honest and fair and transparent and represents the people that it is supposed to, the members and ultimately Albertans. This party belongs to Albertans, and the people who want to buy memberships should have their rights protected.”
Jean is scheduled to be sworn-in in the Legislature on Thursday following his Mar. 16 byelection win in Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche.
He says he is not sure he will be allowed to sit in the UCP caucus after being sworn-in.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be allowed to sit as a caucus member but I’m sitting as an Albertan and I’m going to make sure that at every single opportunity I bring forward Albertans’ priorities,” he said.
Premier Kenney has said he believes the mail-in leadership review will be fair and will allow more UCP members to have their say.
