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The LDP’s decision to ban Nadine Wellwood from running for the party in the Livingstone-Macleod riding has been welcomed by the riding’s current MLA.
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But Roger Reid said Monday that Wellwood’s disqualification does not mean he will contest the party’s nomination for the Calgary south constituency — at least for now.
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“Mrs. Wellwood’s desire to seek the nomination for Livingstone-Macleod was not the reason I chose to withdraw, so her disqualification is no reason for me to re-enter at this time,” Reid said on Monday in ‘ said a statement.
Even so, he said he appreciates the feelings of alienation among many Albertans from the government’s pandemic policy, a factor that has fueled the political motivations of Wellwood and others.
“As I’ve said before, I recognize the anger and frustration of Albertans that has given rise to single-issue candidates and movements,” he said.
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She also said the West should “stop escalating the war in Ukraine initiated by Russia” and should seek a negotiated peace.
Wellwood called the party’s decision to ban her an ongoing disregard for rural Alberta and that her tweets reflect the views of conservatives in the row.
“Unfortunately, rural riding is and will be overshadowed and undervalued; their votes taken for granted, and their money spent currying favor in urban centres,” Wellwood said in a statement last weekend.
She also said her banishment shows the party is not serious about honoring local votes, preferring a top-down approach to nominating candidates.
Premier Danielle Smith initially said her return to politics would involve seeking a seat in the Livingstone-Macleod riding.
But she instead ran in the Brooks-Medicine Hat, winning it last week with 54 percent of the vote.
BKaufmann@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn
