The regular leadership reviews held by the United Conservative Party and its predecessor Progressive Conservative party used to be a formality
Unlike most Canadian politicians, who are brought down by partisan adversaries, Alberta conservatives have to worry more often about their own party ending their political career.
“(Smith is) a reflective listener and a curious person,” says Menzies. “She’s used this communication technique throughout her career.”
Menzies says that sometimes embarrassing verbal digressions into controversial terrain are “baked into (Smith’s) brand.”
“Albertans understand who she is,” he said.
Calgary filmmaker and onetime UCP candidate Caylan Ford adds that Smith’s willingness to engage with contrarian ideas sets her apart from more conventional, risk-averse politicians.
“When it comes down to it, most people — and certainly most politicians — will filter new ideas through a lens of ‘am I allowed to believe this thing?’” said Ford. “Danielle Smith, refreshingly, does not seem to do this.”
Ford has since launched a defamation claim against more than a dozen parties for framing leaked Facebook messages in which she discussed demographic change in the West as white supremacist.
It may be that Smith’s genuine open-mindedness is a key part of why she’s done a better job of navigating the UCP’s factions than Kenney, although it could alienate moderates in the province.
Smith, while herself rooted in the party’s libertarian wing, has thus far shown a greater willingness to engage with other ideological viewpoints.
Not everyone has been won over yet, though. Take Back Alberta leader David Parker told the National Post last week that he was undecided over whether he’d support Smith at the upcoming leadership review.
“Libertarianism is a philosophy for what the role of the government should be,” McCaffrey said. “It’s not a philosophy for how people should live their lives.”
“(Smith) doesn’t have to be at odds with social conservatives (in the party), because the goal should be to give individuals the freedom to live their lives the way they choose.”
And it’s not just libertarians and social conservatives Smith needs to placate at the upcoming leadership review. The UCP arguably has the biggest tent of any major Canadian party, bringing together Alberta sovereigntists, ex-PC moderates and various elements of the very online new right.
The party’s highly diverse membership base is a lot for any leader to manage.
And Smith’s recent comments about chem trails, whether they were example of political calculation or her unique style, are an example of how she listens to just about everyone in the big tent.
The ultimate test of Smith’s active listening skills, and broader management of the fractious UCP coalition, will come in a few weeks time, at her November 2 leadership review in Red Deer, Alta.
National Post
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