The United Conservative Party of Alberta

Introduction

The United Conservative Party of Alberta (UCP) is a conservative political party that was formed in July 2017 through the merger of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta and the Wildrose Party. Initially, it was the Official Opposition to the Alberta NDPs. In 2019, the UCP won a majority mandate under Jason Kenny, allowing them to form the government.  Following Kenney’s announcement of resignation in 2022, a leadership election was held, and Danielle Smith emerged as the winner.

History

In the early 2000s, the Alberta Alliance Party was formed as an alternative to the Progressive Conservatives. Over time, the party evolved and eventually became the Wildrose Party in 2008. Meanwhile, the Progressive Conservatives had been the dominant political force in Alberta for several decades. However, due to internal divisions and declining popularity, the Progressive Conservatives faced a significant defeat in the 2015 provincial election. 

Recognizing the need for conservative unity to challenge the governing New Democratic Party (NDP), the Wildrose Party and Progressive Conservatives initiated merger talks. The merger was successfully completed in 2017, leading to the formation of the United Conservative Party. The party’s formation was met with significant enthusiasm from conservative supporters who saw it as a necessary step to regain political influence in Alberta.