Derek Fildebrandt of Alberta's Freedom Conservative Party is stepping aside as leader of the party he helped create out of a desire to leave politics.

A spokesperson for Alberta's Freedom Conservative Party says while a Facebook post a candidate shared which jokes about dousing the prime minister in gasoline and setting him on fire was "silly," he won't be removed by the party.

"We will give Albertans a clear choice that is neither the big government NDP or the old establishment Tories, but is, instead, dedicated to a free and autonomous Alberta, within Canada, that will build a new Alberta Advantage for the 21st century."

Less than a week after the United Conservative Party's former young star MLA launched the Freedom Conservative Party, Derek Fildebrandt has been recognized as an elected member of that party by the Speaker of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, a development one political analyst says could have ramifications on a key event ahead of next year's provincial election.