You don’t have to scratch too deeply to find Albertan Rob Wells’ thoughts on politics.

Wells was given a $543 ticket on Sunday for driving near the city of Leduc with a hot pink-and-black sign in the back window of his hatchback which says, “F—K HARPER.”

In an interview, Wells scoffed at the suggestion that he’s guilty of the alleged offense of Section 115 (2) (e) of the Traffic Safety Act which states it’s illegal to perform or engage in any stunt or other activity that is likely to distract, startle or interfere with users of the highway.

“I wouldn’t do it if it was clearly illegal,” Wells said. “I have respect for the law. But I’m not going to let them trample on my rights.”

He said the RCMP officer who gave him the ticket was polite, but misguided.

“He was assertive and a bit arrogant but not being disrespectful,” Wells said. “He wasn’t being a jerk.”

Wells, who has taken to Facebook to drum up support for his protest, said he has no immediate plans to take down his sign.

Wells said he will be mounting a Charter right of defense if the case ever goes to court. He is scheduled to appear in Ponoka on Nov. 12.

He said there are plenty of more distracting things on the road than his sign.

“What about the woman who gave me the finger?” he said. “That was distracting.”

Wells described his age as “mature” and his occupation as “self employed.”