It goes without saying that 2014 ended with a political switch up that left many Albertans questioning the integrity of the Wildrose MLA’s that followed leader Danielle Smith over to the PC party in mid- December. One of those that took the most heat for his choice, was Airdrie MLA Rob Anderson – likely because this was not the first time that he’d flipped parties.
Anderson was elected to his first term in Alberta’s Legislative Assembly as the Member for Airdrie-Chestermere in the 2008 provincial election. Anderson left the Progressive Conservative Party in January 2010 to join the Wildrose Alliance Party, which later changed its name to the Wildrose Party. When future Wildrose leader Danielle Smith made it known she was leaving the Tories for the Wildrose, Anderson was dispatched to talk her out of it. Smith refused to stay, telling Anderson, “This government is beyond redemption. It’s out of control.” Anderson quickly jumped ship and Smith then named him deputy leader.
On April 23, 2012, Anderson was re-elected with 57% of the votes in Airdrie, essentially a redrawn version of his old riding. The Wildrose won 17 seats in that election, making Anderson Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Now, skip to December 17, 2014 when it was announced that 9 members of the Wildrose party were crossing the floor to join the Prentice PC party….one of those being MLA Anderson. With the announcement of this move, Albertans took to social media with many of them expressing great disappointment in those Wildrose MLA’s that went to the PC side.
But wait….that’s not all….shortly after the cross back to the PC party, Anderson sat down with the Premier and informed him that he would not be seeking to be re-elected. The Chestermere Anchor CityNews tried to speak with Anderson, but our questions remained unanswered and we were directed to pull information from his Facebook page.
“My wife Anita and I have long been thinking about what is best for our young family and began discussing a life after politics many months ago,” he said. “Prior to Christmas I sat down with the Premier and let him know I would not be seeking re-election.”
Before that decision was made public, it was learned that Airdrie’s Allan Hunter had launched a campaign to get MLA Anderson to step down. At that time, Anderson was refusing to say if he would step down and prompt a by-election call if a significant number of voters sign the petition now being started by the city’s deputy mayor Allan Hunter. Hunter reported that he started the petition because he was uncomfortable with the MLA’s decision to return to the Tories and that he has consistently mismanaged the provinces finances. However, with Anderson’s recent announcement to leave politics, the petition has likely lost momentum.
Former Wildrose leader, Danielle Smith, also faces a petition from unhappy voters in her Highwood riding. It was reported that organizers have collected over 7,500 signatures so far.
Anderson says, “It has been a long journey to get here – with some necessary and unexpected turns along the way – and I feel I have made an important contribution towards the current Alberta government’s fiscally conservative platform and solid commitment to high ethics and integrity. I believe that I serve my constituents best as part of the Prentice government and not fighting against the very policies and principles for which I have long advocated. Premier Prentice is the right leader for our province at this time and it will be my pleasure to help serve the government as we work to advance critical pipeline infrastructure, recalibrate the provincial budget so it can be balanced at a lower oil price, cut waste, increase government transparency and reprioritize spending to core services and infrastructure. I look forward to my remaining time as Airdrie’s MLA as well as the opportunity to serve in the community for years to come. ”
He goes on to say that he is looking forward to pursuing a new career in the private sector and spending more time with his family that have felt his absence over the past 8 years.
