(Edmonton) Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced on Saturday that he will not be a candidate for his own succession to the leadership of the United Conservative Party (UCP).
Posted at 1:37 p.m.
During his open-line radio show, Mr Kenney said that if he had intended to succeed himself he would not have remained party leader until a new one was elected chief. “I emphasize continuity and stability, taking care of people’s business,” he said.
It is the first time that Mr Kenney has answered questions following his surprising decision to step down as leader and prime minister despite winning a vote of confidence.
He spoke on a wide variety of topics, discussing his future, what went well, what went wrong. He questioned a system that had allowed him to landslide elections only to be ousted by 16,000 members of his own party in a vote of confidence.
“It’s really weird. Everywhere I went, people expressed support for me. Unfortunately for me, that didn’t translate into party membership and participation in the process, Mr. Kenney points out. We will have to think about this in the future. How can an electoral mandate obtained by more than a million votes be relinquished by 16,000 people? This is the process we have and I respect it. »
He obtained just over 51% of the support of members of his party who participated in the postal vote. He explained that this support was insufficient to remain at the head of the PCU.
The Premier said he expected more support based on discussions he had had across the province.
“My first feeling was one of relief. I have been active in politics for 25 years. I didn’t expect to be in office for a long time. »
He believes he is still too young to retire at the age of 53. He will have the chance to achieve personal goals that he has set aside for several years.