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Hello UCP, goodbye NDP.

At least that’s the plan.

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This weekend, members of the Wildrose and Progressive Conservatives will decide if they want to merge their parties into one new entity, the United Conservative Party (UCP).

The sole purpose of the new party: defeat Alberta’s NDP government next election.

Approximately 50,000 PCs and 40,000 Wildrosers are eligible to cast a ballot on thetentative merger deal worked out by a joint planning group in May. (Keep in mind some people are members of both parties). PCs are voting in an electronic referendum July 20-22; Wildrosers are holding a general meeting in Red Deer July 22 but members can also vote online or by phone rather than in person.

The results of both votes will be known early Saturday evening.

“We don’t need to remind you about what’s at stake in this choice,” said PC leader Jason Kenney recently as he, um, reminded supporters what’s at stake in this choice. “In the two years since the NDP have been in power, they’ve hiked taxes, hurt our economy, thrown thousands of Albertans out of work, and driven investors away with job-killing policies. Now, we have the opportunity to deny the NDP a second term. But only if we decide to unite and create our new United Conservative Party.”