Wildrose 'will soldier on,' party president says

The Wildrose Party isn’t prepared to disappear, despite the fact nearly half of its MLAs are expected cross over to the Alberta Progressive Conservatives today, according to the party’s president.

“The Wildrose Party will soldier on,” said Dave Yager, who spoke with CBC’s Edmonton AM on Wednesday morning.

Wildrose party executives met in a teleconference Tuesday night to discuss the party’s future after a day of rumours and speculation. Earlier in the day, members of the 14-person Wildrose caucus met to discuss an offer from the PCs.

Yager said he himself wasn’t in a position to know who is planning to leave the party.

Multiple sources have told CBC News that six of 14 Wildrose MLAs plan to join the governing PC party, including leader Danielle Smith.

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“The fact is this is not a merger. I think the media would be best served (to) stop using that term,” Yager said.

Unlike previous political mergers, such as the federal Conservatives party joining with the Reform party in 2003, Yager said Wildrose party executives have not had any policy discussions or communication with the leaders of the PCs.

“We’ve had no communication, none, from the PC party of Alberta whatsoever.”

Yager said that despite the suspected defections, the remaining Wildrose Party is ready to continue electing MLAs. He said they have sent out a letter to their constituency associations, reaffirming that fact.

However, he did admit the party would need to find its feet again if Smith and other Wildrose leadership jumped ship.

“That interim leader may or may not be in caucus, depending on who is in caucus.”

About power, not principles: Yager

During the interview, Yager expressed disappointment in the departing MLAs, saying the split was taking its toll on members of the party, including himself.

“I just spent seven years of my life trying to build a viable alternative to a government (that) has been in power far too long,” he said.

“It’s very emotional."

Hear Dave Yager's full interview with Edmonton AM

On mobile? Hear the interview here

The suspected floor-crossers, he implied, are abandoning the principles the Wildrose was founded on in the pursuit of political power.

“I guess for some it is incredibly important to be in government and they think this is the only way to do it.”

Yager also said the new PC MLAs are likely in for a rough time – in addition to backlash from party supporters, he predicts that falling oil prices and an increasingly grim outlook for the province’s finances will reflect badly on the governing party.

“It’s going to be a really tough year to be in the Government of Alberta. I don’t know why anyone wants to be in there.”

Members of the PC caucus are meeting Wednesday morning to discuss the potential floor-crossings.