Right from the start Kerry Towle was an enigma in politics.
She began her political career as an MLA for a provincial political party that had its base with policies that were so right wing it made traditional conservatism look positively Grit.
And yet the rookie MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake openly defied the Wildrose's extreme foundation by reaching out to help the vulnerable, including seniors and the infirm, and ripping into the governing Tories' blinders on social reform time and time again. Almost immediately she became a heroine for needy citizens whose voices had too often been ignored by government.
Is it any wonder that one of Towle's most vocal admirers is new NDP Leader Rachel Notley? What is more, is that her outspoken and compassionate advocacy has earned her widespread visibility and respect that rivalled Wildrose party leader Danielle Smith.
With the fortunes of the Wildrose party in full meltdown mode on Nov. 24, Towle shocked the province by announcing she was bolting from the Wildrose and jumping to the still wounded ruling Progressive Conservative party.
A beaming Premier Jim Prentice declared that neither Towle nor Ian Donovan, the other Wildrose MLA to jump ship, were offered any special perks to join the government, including cabinet appointments. That declaration makes for good politics, as an immediate appointment would surely raise the already steaming hot temperature of Wildrose supporters, particularly those in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding, that Towle's decision to defect out of principle rang hollow.
Nevertheless, it is an issue Towle will have to deal with immediately, and she has a solid record, albeit short, to buttress any missiles tossed her way by Wildrose loyalists.
In her short term to date as MLA, Towle has deserved a solid A for performance. She has worked tirelessly in the riding. She is a gifted people person who comfortably meets and talks with average citizens. In fact, it is rare not to have seen her at an important civic event, listening and probing as she deeply cares about people. What has been truly impressive is that she never shied away from bullishly taking their cases straight to the legislature.
In order to duck those expected missiles from Wildrose loyalists, who will no doubt slam her for either being an opportunist or careerist, Towle must now redouble this effort – one that speaks loudly for the needs of average people -- now that she is in government.
But Towle has also put herself in a position where she must be a defender of government instead of an aggressive people's advocate who never backed away from a fight. Defending a long-standing Tory government that has never been known to be a leader in this country for truly progressive social policies could be problematic for the socially conscious Towle. The ongoing shame that is on the Progressive Conservative party of Alberta for not having decent and fair protection for farm workers is proof of this point.
However, it must be said that Towle's jump to the Tories is good news for the Town of Innisfail. In Opposition, Towle had to navigate through a largely unsympathetic government bureaucracy, and then push and demand, for action on issues and needs of local concern. It is a different story now that she is in government. She now has an immediate pipeline to the ears of power, and that is an important plus.
The bigger question is whether all that is decent and principled about Towle, everything that made her a people's champion, can remain unstained by a government still smarting from its own excesses of entitlement, and its penchant to put social reform on the back burner.
