Strankman quits UCP caucus

EDMONTON – A member of the Alberta legislature for the United Conservatives is quitting the caucus to sit as an Independent over his concerns that the party is crafting policy from the top down.

Rick Strankman, who represents Drumheller-Stettler, says he is not seeing any input from grassroots members on party policy.

He says he is quitting so that he has the freedom to speak up as policy issues ahead of the spring election.

UCP Leader Jason Kenney promised party members in 2017 that they would drive policy in what he termed his “grassroots guarantee.”