MEDICINE HAT, AB —United Conservative Party members voted for youth in the Brooks-Medicine Hat constituency.
Michaela Glasgo won the party’s nomination following two days of voting.
At the age of 25, Glasgo wants to be elected as the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat in the next provincial election after winning the nomination for the UCP.
She believes her youth will be a welcome change for the party.
“I think that’s why my voice is going to be good for this region, because we’ve had the same you know, we’ve been criticized as conservatives of having a certain demographic that runs and takes leadership positions,” said Glasgo.
Glasgo added that although she may have a different perspective on things, she doesn’t want to discount the views of those who have come before her.
“We have great people like the Drew Barnes of Cypress-Medicine Hat, or people who have been, Jason Kenney, in the game for a long time, and their perspectives are just as valid,” said Glasgo. “It’s just that mine’s a little different, and I think with all of them at the table, at the same time, we can really make a caucus, a UCP caucus that is really reflective of the needs of Albertans.”
Glasgo has also worked at Barnes’ office for the past couple of years.
Jim Groom, political scientist with the Medicine Hat College, says that experience will help as she tries to bring the party forward.
“As a young women with a political science degree, and some background in politics obviously, and some experience,” said Groom. “She will bring that fresh perspective that will open things up a little bit more.”Groom believes it won’t be smooth sailing for Glasgo, and he thinks some people might question her lack of time in the political world.
“OK, what is your experience per se? You’ve been to school, you’ve been in this assistant position, but what have you really accomplished individually?” said Groom.
There is also the recent challenges faced by the UCP.
Calgary-Greenway MLA Prab Gill resigned from caucus following an investigation into allegations stemming from a constituency association meeting last month.
Also, Todd Beasley was removed from the ballot ahead of the nomination vote after anti Muslim Facebook posts he made in 2017 were discovered.
Glasgo remains positive saying the party has come along way since merging last year.
“So, a year ago we were two parties, now we’re one. We had two leaders, now we have one. So we went through a leadership race, a unity race, we went through so much in the past year. I think that just having that persistence, and that vision going forward, and I think having a leader like Jason Kenney will make sure that we are prepared to contest that election in 2019,” said Glasgo.
