Jason Kenney to step down as UCP leader after barely surviving leadership review vote

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping down from his position as leader of the United Conservative Party of Alberta, this just after barely surviving a vote of confidence within his party.

Kenney, once considered a star amongst his peers, was on the receiving end of considerable backlash due to his handling of the health crisis. The premier, who stomped on Rachel Notley in 2019 after four years of NDP rule in the Wild Rose province, was viewed unfavourably amongst Alberta's largely right-wing base due to his inconsistency, especially in regard to his implementation of COVID passports, something he swore would never happen.

Kenney narrowly won a UCP leadership vote last week, collecting 51 percent of the vote among party members. For Kenney, however, the slight majority was not enough to keep his position as top dog.

“The result is not what I hoped for or frankly what I expected,” said Kenney. "51 percent of the vote passes the constitutional threshold of a majority, it clearly is not adequate support to continue as leader. That's why tonight, I've informed the president of the party of my intention to step down as leader of the UCP," he said.