Prime Minister Jason Kenny spoke publicly on Friday for the first time since the bomber dropped a statement that he plans to step down as UCP leader and Alberta prime minister.
But there are still so many unanswered questions about Kenny’s future – and the future of his party.
The brief statement was made before the cabinet meeting at the McDougall Center in Calgary.
“We have a very important job ahead of us, including the vote in the leadership review earlier this week and, as you know, my intention to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party,” Kenny told reporters. “I will do it as soon as the party elects a new leader. We are determined to keep an eye on the ball.”
The prime minister did not ask questions after his speech. In fact, media representatives were taken out of the room only moments after the end of his statement.
It is unclear when he will be available next time to answer reporters’ questions.
Kenny announced his plans on Wednesday after struggling to win a review of his party’s leadership with 51.4 per cent support.
Caucus will elect a new leader and prime minister “as soon as possible,” according to the party’s leadership.
No date has been set yet.
Both the cabinet and the UCP group met in Calgary on Thursday for “vigorous discussion and debate” on the next steps. After more than six hours inside, the group announced that Kenny would remain in his role “until a new leader is elected.”
Speculation about who will replace Kenny continues to grow.
Some experts even believe that Kenny himself is still focused on work. No rules would stop him from campaigning.
This, of course, was neither confirmed nor denied during a photo session of the prime minister’s office on Friday.
“This is a government that focuses on its own internal drama,” Kathleen Ganley of the NDP MLA told reporters. “They fail to focus on what the people of Albert need, and I think that would make them reluctant to answer questions.”
Add Comment