CALGARY – Alberta Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith is putting her leadership on the line in the wake of four byelection losses.
Smith says she has asked to have a leadership review put on the agenda when the party holds its annual general meeting in Red Deer in mid-November.
“If it’s not me, it will be someone better, and I will support them.”
Smith wouldn’t say what percentage of support will satisfy her, but says it needs to be more than the 77 per cent received last year by former premier Alison Redford.
“I do still think it’s important for me to get that mandate,” said Smith, “so I know that going forward my members back me.”
The Wildrose party was beaten in three byelections in Calgary and one in Edmonton on Monday night.
READ MORE: The Alberta Tories sweep all four byelections
Smith says her party needs to re-examine its messaging to earn the support of urban voters.
She says she still believes her party is the only one that can unite both urban and rural areas.
“We really are – in the Wildrose – the only party that is capable of contesting this government in every single seat across the province,” said Smith on Tuesday morning, “whether it’s in Edmonton, whether it’s in Calgary, whether it’s rural.”
“They chose Tory strongholds on purpose.”
With files from Global News
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