Article content continued

But in politics a merger is never a merger, it’s a takeover.

This would be Kenney taking over leadership of the Wildrose via leadership of the PCs.

But it would not be the PCs taking over the Wildrose.

Given Kenney’s close ties to the Wildrose over the years and his socially conservative bent, this arguably would be the Wildrose taking over the PCs.

And Kenney would be leader.

Understandably, Jean is not rolling out the welcome wagon. The Wildrose caucus last issued a news release that pointed out the party already has a leader, thank you very much.

And on Monday it announced the “On Your Side: Brian Jean Summer Town Hall Series” — where Jean will travel the province and focus on, among other things, “bringing together all common-sense conservatives into one party.”

If the Wildrose is cool to Kenney, the PCs are outright alarmed, at least those who see themselves as more progressive than conservative.

“I think Jason has never been a friend of the Progressive Conservative party, there’s nothing progressive about Jason Kenney,” PC MLA Sandra Jansen said last week. She added if Kenney gets in, she would want out. “I would leave, I would not be a member of the party anymore.”

For Jansen and others like her, Kenney would be a Wildrose Trojan Horse bent on destroying the PC party from within.

That scenario has Jansen mulling more seriously her own run for PC leader. Other names that are popping up as speculation grows include PC MLA Richard Starke, former PC cabinet ministers Doug Griffiths and Diana McQueen, and Edmonton Coun. Michael Oshry.