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This, after all, is conservatism’s heartland, and booting the NDP from power ahead of the next federal election would prove an extraordinary morale boost. Hence the desire to get on with it, unite the two parties, stop splitting the vote and drive the lefties out of the province. If only it were that simple.

None seems able or willing to ameliorate the personal and ideological tensions that split the PCs and the Wildrose apart in the first place.

Inspired by both genuine ideological antipathy and a surplus of former Progressive Conservatives and floor-crossers who have suddenly found themselves out of work and out of power, the unite-the-right mantra has transformed into a kind of cottage industry of political action committees and fundraising appeals. There’s the Alberta Prosperity Fund, the Manning Centre’s Blueprint for Renewal and Conservative Directions, just to start.

Poke at any of these groups and one finds very familiar faces, none of whom scream “renewal,” despite their best intentions. Also, those involved in 2014’s disastrous Wildrose floor-crossing debacle are so tainted that their mere presence can only hurt their cause. The unprecedented spectacle of an opposition leader crossing to the governing PCs along with half her caucus was a betrayal that few have forgotten — or forgiven.

There is certainly a widespread desire to prevent the NDP from winning another term in office. But that is, so far, the only common theme among these disparate groups. None seems able or willing to ameliorate the personal and ideological tensions that split the PCs and the Wildrose apart in the first place.