Editorial
Although the next provincial election is still two years away, the four byelections now underway in the province represent an important mid-term test for the new Prentice Tories.
In the wake of the disastrous downfall of first-term premier Alison Redford, the ruling PCs probably need to win at least three of the four elections to regain public confidence in their ability to govern with integrity and accountability.
At the same time, the opposition parties, and the Wildrose in particular, also need to make a good showing in the byelections or risk losing the momentum they have built up during Redford's decline and fall.
For his part, newly minted Premier Jim Prentice has everything at stake in his Foothills byelection race. He must win this campaign or find himself in the very uncomfortable position of being without a seat when the legislature resumes sitting next month.
For his part, Prentice is putting on a brave face and predicting a win.
“We've begun to shape a new Progressive Conservative government with essentially new leadership, new voices and a new way of doing things,” Prentice said.
Should he fail to win in Foothills, Prentice could find himself with a revolt on his hands that would make the infighting seen in the Tory party over the past months look like child's play.
While it seems highly unlikely that Prentice will lose the race in Foothills, the other three byelections may prove to be the real political battlegrounds.
Because two of the three campaigns involve newly-appointed Prentice cabinet ministers – Health Minister Stephen Mandel in Edmonton-Whitemud and Education Minister Gordon Dirks in Calgary-Elbow – all opposition parties will obviously be very keen to make good showings there.
If the official Opposition Wildrose can win against Mandel and/or Dirks, it would give the party a huge boost in the run-up to the next general election.
“The glory years for the PCs are over,” said Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith. “After years of mismanagement, entitlement and failures of leadership, the PCs can no longer take any seat for granted.”
If, on the other hand, the PCs can win all four races, it would be a disaster of the first order for Smith and her hopes to topple the PCs in 2016.
For the NDP and the Liberals, a win in any of the four races would be a victory of the first order.
While none of the four byelections are in West Central Alberta, residents here will be watching the campaigns and results closely, knowing that the outcomes are critical for all parties.
