WATCH ABOVE: Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman has been nominated as a candidate for the Alberta Party and Green Party as well.
EDMONTON — Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman announced Friday she had won the nomination for the Liberals, Alberta Party and the Green Party in the constituency of Edmonton-Centre.
The five-term MLA calls it a step towards unifying centrist voters.
“I believe in the joining of forces by the three parties is essential to provide Alberta voters a centrist alternative to the Conservatives,” said Blakeman.
She was told by the Electoral Officer she can only be registered under one party banner, so she’s chosen the Liberal party, but will represent all three.
Her campaign material will identify her as endorsed by the Alberta Party and the Green Party. Blakeman also plans to put the logos of all three parties on her material.
The election ballot will list Blakeman as the Liberal candidate, but she says she’ll campaign for the Alberta Party and Greens as well.
“I hope what I’m doing today will be the start of movement of progressive-minded Albertans working together to oppose the Wildrose-Conservative agenda,” Blakeman explained.
Alberta Party leader Greg Clark says this move doesn’t signal a merger, which would be up to party members to decide.
READ MORE: Liberal Party rejects Laurie Blakeman’s proposal to merge with Alberta Party
“I am thrilled that Laurie has secured the Alberta Party nomination in Edmonton-Centre,” said Clark. “She is a true champion for the people she has represented for the past 18 years and there’s no better evidence of that than her strong advocacy that led to the successful amendments to Bill 10.
“Laurie is one of the most dedicated MLAs in the Legislature and her values align very well with the Alberta Party.”
The Green Party echoes that, saying a merger is out of the question, but that the party supports Blakeman’s values.
READ MORE: Alberta Green party says it won’t run candidates against some Liberals and NDs
“Alberta Greens greatly admire Laurie Blakeman’s determination to do politics differently, more co-operatively,” said Green Party leader Janet Keeping.
“Albertans desperately need brave, creative and progressive people in the legislature, and Greens enthusiastically endorse Laurie as our candidate in Edmonton-Centre.”
Liberal leader David Swann released a statement in support of Blakeman, explaining he has “long sought a process to allow progressive, centrist parties to cooperate in the best interests of all Albertans,” but that “it is too close to the next provincial election to make any formal arrangements at this time.”
“My colleague, Laurie Blakeman, believes it is important to make a symbolic gesture to give all progressive Albertans hope about future possibilities,” Swann added.
“I support Laurie, and I thank her for her decision to run under the Liberal banner while uniting with others.
“I look forward to working with the longest sitting opposition MLA in our province’s history on the issues Albertans care about most. If the last year had taught us anything, it is that effective opposition matters.
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