EDMONTON — Another member of Alberta’s new United Conservative Party has quit caucus to sit as an Independent. Rick Fraser, the legislature member for Calgary South East, said in a statement Thursday that the current fractious party leadership race makes it clear Alberta will continue down the road of divisive, polarized politics. “Since Premier (Alison) Redford stepped away, multiple leadership races, cabinet changes and an election, there has been an overwhelming focus on politics in Alberta and not on the people of Alberta,” wrote Fraser. Former federal cabinet minister Jim Prentice took over when he won the party leadership in 2014, but led the Tories to defeat in the 2015 election. Fraser said a protracted, partisan fight between the new party and Premier Rachel Notley’s NDP does not serve Albertans well.

Source: National Post September 21, 2017 18:33 UTC