Now that nine Wildrose MLAs have crossed the floor to join the PCs, the discussion now turns to which party will form the official opposition.
Speaker Gene Zwozdesky is expected to rule on which party will fill that role shortly.
Alberta Liberal leader Raj Sherman believes his party should take the role, as both he and NDP leader Rachel Notley took issue with what happened this week.
“The actions that have happened have actually been a betrayal by the Wildrosers who betrayed their constituents who elected them as Wildrosers and Prentice has betrayed the progressives in his party by accepting right wing Wildrosers.”
Notley also says the issue has been a betrayal of the values Prentice is championing. “I think this represents a betrayal of accountability of transparency and democracy. It is the penultimate history making back room deal designed to rob Albertans of an official opposition.”
While they share the same views about the floor crossing, there is no talk of the NDP and Liberals coming together to form a united opposition.
However, independent Joe Anglin, who quit the Wildrose in early November, says he can tip the scales when it comes to an official opposition.
“I am an independent member. I will stay an independent member at least for the time being. I have no intention of joining the Liberals or the Wildrose. I have every intention of going into discussion of forming a coalition and deciding on who will become the official opposition.”
Anglin also has the opportunity to not formally support one party or another, and simply lend support on a case-by-case basis.
