Wildrose Alliance snags Tory insider for president
Last Updated: Thursday, April 29, 2010 | 4:24 PM MT
CBC News
Hal Walker, a trusted adviser to former Tory premier Ralph Klein, is joining the Wildrose Alliance. (CBC) Longtime Progressive Conservative fundraiser and Ralph Klein insider, Hal Walker, is turning his back on the Tories to take over as president of the Wildrose Alliance Party.
The Calgary-based real estate entrepreneur announced Thursday he is resigning from the board of directors of the Calgary-Elbow PC Association to become the interim head of the small-c conservative Alliance.
Walker was a Tory for 35 years, playing a central role in former premier Ralph Klein's inner circle of advisers. But he said Thursday that Premier Ed Stelmach's misguided policies are out of line with conservative values and have left the long-governing party "unsalvageable."
"We have all witnessed the many well known public policy disasters by this government, from the botched royalty review, to the health-care mess, to the uncontrolled spending that is wiping out our savings and plunging us back into debt," said Walker.
"But the common denominator in all these mistakes has been the failed leadership of Premier Ed Stelmach. I simply do not believe he is doing his job."
Current Alliance president Jeff Galloway is stepping down to serve as vice-president of fundraising, clearing the way for Walker to run for a full term as president at the party's annual general meeting in June.
"He brings a wealth of strategic experience in Alberta politics with him,” said Wildrose Alliance Leader Danielle Smith.
Earlier this year, two PC MLAs from the Calgary area — Rob Anderson and Heather Forsyth — crossed the floor to join the Wildrose Alliance.
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