Speculation over a leadership bid from MLA Derek Fildebrandt has been put to an end.

Yesterday (August 8), Fildebrandt announced that he would not be seeking leadership of the newly formed United Conservative Party.

In a statement on his website, Fildebrandt said that after careful consideration he's decided seeking leadership of the new party was not the best course of action.

"Over the coming months I want to focus on policy development and ensuring that our new party is founded on a strong foundation of fiscal responsibility, personal liberty, and reasserting Alberta’s place of leadership in Canada."

Fildebrandt also said he hopes that the new party will not hijack policy to the leaders, leaving it in the hands of the grassroots.

So far, former Wildrose leader Brian Jean, former PC head Jason Kenney and Calgary lawyer Doug Schweitzer have officially declared their candidacy as leader of the new party.

 

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