Premier Smith's problem

Alberta’s new Premier Danielle Smith used to be a radio phone-in show host before becoming Premier and I used to listen to her program frequently.

She was very connected to her audience and had a hard time during the pandemic with folks that disagreed with her views, which included her employer as well on some issues.

Prior to working as a radio host Smith had been the leader of the Wildrose Party in Alberta and a sitting member of the legislative assembly. At that time she crossed the floor with a group of her MLAs to join the sitting Progressive Conservative Party government under Jim Prentice prior to an election in which she lost her seat.

Listening to her reflect on what happened, I got the distinct impression that Danielle Smith sees herself as some kind of “Knight in Shining Armour” coming to Alberta’s rescue with some ready baked solutions of her own choosing.

And therein lies her problem: Running with her instincts and preconceived ideas, without consulting the greater population.

Jim Prentice had the same problem, and he was a bad loser.