As of Friday, July 28, Interim United Conservative Party (UCP) leader Nathan Cooper, the MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, remained hopeful a Progressive Conservative (PC) holdout would join the new party.
The UCP was created July 22 when members of both the Wildrose Party and Progressive Conservatives voted more than 95 per cent in favour of joining forces to create one conservative party. Its goal is to defeat the governing New Democratic Party (NDP) in the next election, expected in 2019.
That holdout is Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Richard Starke, who lost out to Jason Kenney for leadership of the PCs earlier this year.
After the amalgamation vote, Starke announced he would not join the UCP but would continue to sit as a PC MLA.
He cited concerns the fact that former UCP leadership candidates Brian Jean (formerly leader of the Wildrose Party) and Jason Kenney (formerly leader of the PCs) each chose not to join an Edmonton Pride parade.
He also disagreed with an earlier comment by Kenney that schools should tell parents if their child joins a Gay Straight Alliance club.
Cooper told the Albertan he's still hopeful Starke will end up joining the UCP.
"Richard Starke and I have had a good conversation. I have nothing but respect for Richard; I think he's a good MLA and he's a great parliamentarian," Cooper said.
"I was a little bit disappointed that he chose not to join the movement without knowing exactly what it was going to look like. I encourage people to be part of the conversation and part of the discussion.
"One thing that I know for certain is that we're going to be a grassroots organization where the best idea is going to have a great opportunity of winning and so I hope that he, Dr. Starke, will think about that. His voice is an important voice around the table," he added.
Asked if he still holds out hope that Starke will join the UCP, Cooper said, "ultimately at the end of the day that will be up to him, but if he would like to reconsider and think his voice will be well heard, he will be welcome."
Cooper was asked if Starke's position is embarrassing for the new party.
"I don't think it's embarrassing," Cooper said. "People make their choices and that's what he's done; that's fair.
"You know, at the end of the day, my job is, I work towards unifying conservatives; putting together a team of folks who believe in strong conservative principles and we encourage all people to be involved in the process," he added.
"So I don't think it's embarrassing. I look forward to working to unite conservatives and getting the organization up and ready to continue to fight the NDP."
"I was a little bit disappointed that he chose not to join the movement without knowing exactly what it was going to look like."NATHAN COOPER OLDS-DIDSBURY-THREE HILLS MLA, INTERIM LEADER, UNITED CONSERVATIVE PARTY
