News Summary

• The UCP base’s separatist fervor proved a challenge for Smith this weekend.
• The party has repeatedly conveyed big demands and expectations to the politicians it elects.
• But members have never flared their temper at the leader like this.
• This gathering of more than 4,200 United Conservatives isn’t necessarily representative of the roughly 50,000 total card-carrying party members, or the hundreds of thousands in the much larger UCP voter base.“How many of all of us favour a free and independent Alberta?” he implored United Conservatives.
• “Raise your hand!
• Stand up!” The vast majority in the room did, with sustained howls and cheers.