Alberta Party brings centrists, possible leadership candidates, to Red Deer

Red Deer will be the epicentre of provincial politics Saturday as the Alberta Party holds its annual general meeting there and conservatives gather nearby for a conference hosted by the Manning Centre.

The Alberta Party conventionis fully sold out. Thesurge of interest has coincided with the creation of the United Conservative Party and Jason Kenney's ascendance to the party leadership.

Kenney, meanwhile, is the closingspeaker at the Manning Networking Conference at Red Deer College.

• Lisa Holmes, Chima Nkemdirim named as possible Alberta Party candidates
• Greg Clark explains why he stepped down as Alberta Party leader

Former Wildroseleader Brian Jean, now the UCP MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin, and Nathan Cooper, the UCP MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, are also addressing the conference.

Some former Progressive Conservatives who think the UCP will be too socially conservativeare looking to the Alberta Party as a centrist option.

Greg Clark's recent decision to step down as Alberta Party leader has triggered a leadership race that could give the Alberta Party a higher profile. No timeline has been set for the leadership vote but Clark said he expects it to happen in February.

Radio host Ryan Jespersen, former Morinville mayor Lisa Holmes, and Chima Nkemdirim, chief of staff to Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, have been named as possible candidates.

Kerry Cundal, who lost the Liberal leadership race to David Khan, has switched her political allegiances to the Alberta Party. She says she may enter the race but is also interested in backing a strong female candidate.