Alberta separatist leader Jeff Rath’s UCP membership revoked
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has revoked the United Conservative Party membership of separatist leader Jeff Rath. Smith stated the decision was necessary to maintain party unity, while Rath criticized the move as authoritarian.
Why it matters
This reflects internal political friction within Canadian provincial parties regarding regional independence movements and leadership control.
A high-profile separatist leader has been kicked out of the United Conservative Party.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters in Calgary on Friday that the party’s executive director made the decision to revoke Jeffrey Rath’s membership over code of conduct issues.
It’s a decision she supports, Smith said, calling Rath “somebody whose objective and mission is to turn us into something we are not.”
Smith says her United Conservatives must support the party’s decision, adding anyone in party ranks who still wants to stump for separation needs to find a new political home.
“He has said publicly things like he wants to come to the (annual general meeting) to turn the UCP into an independence party — and we are not an independence party,” Smith said.
“The objective of the party is to get re-elected.”
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