By Leah Murray

MLA Drew Barnes backs Jason Kenney for UCP leadership

Aug 2, 2017 | 10:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Cypress Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes declaring his support for United Conservative Party leadership hopeful Jason Kenney Wednesday night.

Barnes held the event at the Paradise Valley Golf course where over 100 people packed into the upstairs banquet room.

The former Wildrose now UCP member, explained to the crowd he decided to put his support behind Kenney, instead of former Wildrose leader Brian Jean after consultation with his family and many Wildrose members.

“It was overwhelming that they felt Jason’s experience and Jason’s values were the best way forward,” Barnes said. “There’s a lot of work to go ahead to make sure the new party reflects our values for Cypress-Medicine Hat, and I’m grateful I have the chance of being at the forefront of doing that.”

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People we spoke to who attended the event said they supported Barnes’ decision.

Kenney is not running on any kind of platform as he seeks leadership, saying the party itself should form the policies.

“I think we’ve had too much arrogant top-down style leadership in recent years in Alberta, we need a kind of bottom-up grassroots democratic approach and a different style of leadership,” he explained. “I call it servant leadership.”

The leadership hopeful says keeping conservatives united under one banner is key, even as the few former Wildrose and PC members who weren’t on board with unity look for new political homes.

“I think [keeping the party united] is going to be pretty easy because 95 per cent of PC and Wildrose member voted for unity,” he explained.

Kenney received his first endorsement earlier in the day Wednesday from Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter.

“[I] Appreciate his support a great deal and will be getting other endorsements from members of the United Conservative Caucus in the days and weeks to come.”

Mid-day Wednesday Brian Jean, who is also running for leadership, had seven MLA endorsements.

Calgary Laywer Doug Schweitzer joins Kenney and Jean in the leadership race. The UCP will vote for a party leader on October 28.