Former Stelmach Leadership Rival Fears Vote Split

I must say I'm kinda disappointed the former leadership rival of Ed Stelmach, Ted Morton now Minister of Sustainable Resources, won't be defecting to Wildrose Alliance. Although he agrees with most of their policy he says he won't be joining them. Apparently he's afraid it would benefit the Swan Liberals by vote splitting. I don't know if I agree with that or not. (h/t) Canoe.ca

"Sustainable Resources Minister Ted Morton said he's got much in common with the WAP, but said he won't be jumping to their ship. And he predicted an impending cabinet shuffle, various policy reviews and a budget will halt the party's plummet.
"We're making changes and are optimistic we can win back the support polls say is slipping away," said Morton. He warned a stronger WAP will merely benefit Alberta Liberals, who would gain -- mostly in urban ridings -- from a split in the right-wing vote. "In Edmonton, we had half a dozen candidates who won by less than 500 votes," he said of the 2008 election."

At the same time more defections are feared according to the same article:

"Greatly heartened by Wildrose leader Danielle Smith's expressing a high priority for constituency work is Boutilier, who was turfed from the Tory caucus last summer after openly criticizing his party over health care infrastructure in his riding.

"I'm encouraged by any party that talks about the importance of constituencies," he said.

The MLA said he's also received "lots of phone calls from Conservative MLAs" frustrated over the state of their party, adding more defections are inevitable.

"It's only a matter of time before the house of cards comes down," said Boutilier."


Update:

More from Boutilier on Dave Rutherford Go to approx. 9:45 mark