After failing to unite the progressive left in February, long-time Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman is attempting to do it single-handedly, declaring her intent to run for three parties in the next provincial election.

On Friday morning she announced she is running in Edmonton-Centre as the candidate for the Liberals, the Alberta Party and the Green Party of Alberta.

She said she’s doing it to unite the progressive vote in her riding, a seat she has held since 1997.

“It’s no secret that I believe this is where progressive politics need to go and I'm in a position to walk the talk.”

In February, Blakeman was rejected as the interim leader of the Liberals after she said she wanted to talk to the fellow-centrist Alberta Party about a co-operation agreement.

At the time, Alberta Party leader Greg Clark said he was disappointed with the Liberals’ decision.

Clark was at the announcement this morning as was Janet Keeping, the leader of the Green Party of Alberta.

Interim Liberal leader David Swann characterized Blakeman’s actions as a “symbolic gesture” saying it gives progressive Albertans hope about future possibilities.

“Unfortunately, it is too close to the next provincial election to make any formal arrangements at this time.”

Swann said he supports her decision to run under the Liberal banner while uniting with the other parties.

Blakeman said she consulted with Elections Alberta and was advised she can officially accept only one nomination, which will be the Liberal one.

She said that won't stop her from working with the Alberta Party and the Green Party of Alberta and using their logos on her signs and brochures.