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For Jansen, however, it was a rather spectacular display of hypocrisy and opportunism. Again, this is someone who, as of earlier this month, aspired to lead a party in the hopes of unseating the NDP in the next election.

It should be noted that Jansen made two decisions here. One was to leave the PC party, while the other was to embrace the policies, agenda and direction of Notley and the NDP government. Jansen is using whatever defensible reasons might exist for parting ways with the PCs to try and provide cover to the rather indefensible decision to join the NDP.

When Jansen dropped out of the PC leadership race, she cited “intimidation tactics” from a “socially regressive element” engaged in a “hostile takeover attempt” of the party. The party itself is conducting an investigation as to what exactly occurred, but clearly Jansen had no interest in waiting to see the results of that.

Which is odd, given that at the end of her own statement announcing her withdrawal from the race, she declared “it is time to fight for our party.” Maybe she should have been clearer as to which party she was referring to.

When Jansen joined the leadership race, she emphasized the need to have the PC party “deliver the pragmatic, centrist government that (Albertans) deserve.” As it turns out, we already have such a government, so what on earth was the point of her leadership campaign?

While standing alongside Notley last week, Jansen declared that “most Albertans want a reasonable, moderate, pragmatic government” and that “we are getting that kind of government from Premier Rachel Notley.” One can just imagine what an effective opening statement that might have been in the 2019 leaders’ debate.