A recently released public opinion poll showing Premier Alison Redford and the ruling Progressive Conservatives far ahead of their political rivals in terms of popular support could be taken as a sign that Albertans are completely pleased with way the Tories are running things.
The newly elected premier may take the results as an indication that she doesn't need to worry too much about key issues facing the province right now and that she can cruise to yet another PC victory in 2012.
The results may even prompt the Tories to call a snap election this fall, hoping to cash in on the recent surge in public support to extend their 40 year majority legacy for another four or five years.
The recent poll by the Citizens Society Research Laboratory at the University of Lethbridge found that support for the Tories stands at 48 per cent, for the Wildrose Alliance 16 per cent, for the NDP 16 per cent, and for the Liberals 13 per cent. It is the first opinion poll taken after Redford's election on Oct. 1.
Despite the poll's good news for Redford and her PC colleagues, as far as ordinary Albertans are concerned, important issues affecting families and businesses still need to be addressed in the months ahead.
And those issues – such as the need for increased business development and retention in rural Alberta – should and must take priority over politicking in the run-up to next election.
For the opposition parties, the poll is anything but good news.
When Ed Stelmach lead his party to an increased majority during the last election, the Liberals and the NDP probably should have taken the hint that only by combining their efforts could they hope to make inroads against the Tories. Judging from the latest poll, their failure to join forces may have been a major strategic misstep.
The Wildrose Alliance also has its work cut out for it because despite very encouraging poll results last year, the party has now fallen back into the company of the other opposition parties.
Shortly after Premier Redford's election, the Wildrose launched an attack advertisement campaign against her. If the Wildrose leader Danielle Smith believes she can reverse her party fortunes by attack ads alone maybe she should consult the Liberals and NDP and ask them how well such campaigns have work in the past?
Hopefully Premier Redford will get down to the job of leading this province through these uncertain economic times – and leave the politicking out of the equation until the election campaign is actually launched and underway.
- D.S.
