CALGARY- Could the Tories’ reign in Alberta be coming to an end?
That concern will be front and centre at next weekend’s leadership review for Premier Alison Redford, as a new poll shows support for the government is slipping.
Lethbridge College polled decided voters, and found the PCs are down five points from last year, at just over 36 per cent support.
The Wildrose Party is up to 29.5 per cent, while the Liberals are third with 16 per cent. The NDP trail, with 12 per cent support.
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Despite the numbers, the premier is optimistic she’ll reach the necessary 50 per cent plus 1 vote at the upcoming convention.
“I am really confident staying in the job, and my sense is that party members I am talking to feel that away as well,” Redford said.
Her government’s stronghold is in Calgary and Edmonton, while the Wildrose has rural Alberta. While a provincial election is still years away, analysts say a flurry of recent funding announcements suggest Redford is working to polish her image.
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“There’s no question this is partly intended in response to or in preparation for the leadership vote, to boost the numbers, to boost the party,” says political analyst Lori Williams. “But, that’s not going to be enough to sustain them in the next election.”
More than 1,100 PC party delegates are registered for the convention, which will be held in Red Deer.
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