Front Burner

The political resurrection of Danielle Smith

After a controversial political floor-crossing, former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith was once in the political wilderness. Now, she’s in the running to lead Alberta’s United Conservative Party.
Danielle Smith waves to the crowd on election night in 2012, when as Wildrose leader she nearly became premier. She's approaching that goal again in the UCP leadership race. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

There was a time when former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith was in the political wilderness, cast out by a stunning floor-crossing that alienated and angered many Alberta conservatives.

Now, it seems the former political pariah is back in the fold, as she makes her play to replace Jason Kenney as leader of the United Conservative Party and become Alberta's next premier.

She's drawn big cheers at the Calgary Stampede and brought in big dollars to her campaign with her anti-mandate and anti-Ottawa message.

Today on Front Burner, CBC's Jason Markusoff is here to discuss Smith's past political downfall and her current political resurrection.