The Alberta Liberal party has its first candidate for new leader as Calgary-Currie MLA Dave Taylor tossed his hat into the ring on Wednesday, July 23.

Standing outside the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Hall overlooking Calgary’s downtown skyline, Taylor admitted he and the party have their work cut out for them connecting with a politically disengaged public. “One of the things that’s been missing, certainly throughout this decade, is a government or politicians who have done a good job of listening to people,” Taylor told reporters. “I think people want to be listened to.”

A former radio talk show personality, Taylor first entered the political arena in the 2004 provincial election. Although considered an underdog, Taylor beat Tory incumbent Jon Lord. He ran again in the March 3 election, beating star Conservative candidate Arthur “The Scud Stud” Kent.

The Liberals need to re-energize and bring new blood into the fold after being bruised and bloodied by the results of last election, says Taylor. This includes changing the culture within the party that may have become too accepting of their role as the province’s opposition. “In the real world, if you’re number one, your job is to stay number one,” he told reporters. “If you’re number two, your job is to become number one. What [the Liberals have been] doing is settling for number two.”

The Liberal party lost nearly half of its seats in the legislature in the March 3 election. The Conservative party has an overwhelming majority in the legislature, winning 72 of the 83 seats in the last election. However, with nearly 60 per cent of voters staying home during the last election, Taylor says there are opportunities for the Liberal party to capitalize on. “Politics today has become the playground of the angry,” says Taylor. “It’s always about being against something. We are Albertans. We are about finding solutions to real life issues.”

Acknowledging many Albertans’ lives are affected by the oil and gas industry, Taylor says the party needs to be business-friendly, while remaining fiscally responsible and socially progressive. In the coming months, Taylor says he plans to crisscross the province to listen to voters’ concerns.

On June 26, 2008, Kevin Taft declared his intention of stepping down as leader by the end of January 2009. He does intend to stay on as MLA for Edmonton-Riverview.

Nominations for the leadership will be open until September 30 with the vote to be held from Dec. 5 to Dec. 12. Contenders must be party members and deposit $10,000 to run for the top position. (TH)