After weeks of unrest in the UCP Caucus, two MLAs were expelled.
MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, Nate Horner says it was a difficult week.
“It is all unfortunate, caucus can be kind of messy, but we have sworn an oath to caucus confidentiality,” Horner said.
On Friday after a marathon meeting of the caucus, there was a vote to expel MLA for Central Peace-Notley, Todd Loewen and outspoken Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes.
“A lot of people have reached out to ask which way I voted, and I honestly can’t say. It has been a rough patch, and they are both quality people doing what they thought was right. But with that being said, we had to focus on getting through this pandemic,” said Horner.
There has been an undercurrent of disagreement among MLAs that first noticeably spilled into headlines in early April when a group of MLAs, including Horner, signed a letter pushing back against further COVID restrictions.
Then on Thursday, May 13, Loewen stepped down as Caucus Chair. In a letter, he cited issues such as the Alberta Government’s response to the federal government, negotiations with physicians and the actions on coal mining on the eastern slopes as areas of persistent problems.
“Albertans have lost trust in the leadership of our government and are no longer willing to extend us any benefit of the doubt on most issues,” Loewen stated in his letter.
With these changes, Horner says the caucus is united.
“It is a balancing act between representing your constituents, knowing your constituents are being heard through your actions and statements, but also supporting the decisions that are being made within the party and caucus and cabinet,” he said. “There is always that tug-o-war, but at the end of the day, hopefully, we are in the final real hurdle of this pandemic and can keep this ship together.”