Despite the young party’s rising popularity and hot off the heels of electing a new leader in Danielle Smith on Saturday, some Calgarians are still unfamiliar with the new kid on the block.
Mary Kendall, who works in the oil and gas industry, was one of dozens of Calgarians asked about the Wildrose Party, but blissfully unaware of their existence.
“I should know this, but I haven’t really heard anything about it,” she said.
Janice Lankin is aware of the party and their rising popularity, but said she is not sure about their policies.
“It sounds to me like they are even more traditional and more conservative than the current government,” she said.
Mount Royal University political science expert Duane Bratt said since the party only formed in January 2008 it’s expected that not a lot of people really know the party’s platforms.
“I think before six weeks ago, not a lot of people would have known much about this party but they aretapping into mounting discontent with the Conservatives and establishing themselves,” he said.
