In December 2008, Environics released a poll showing Premier Ed Stelmach‘s Progressive Conservatives with 62% support across the province.
One year later, after Bill 44, Bill 19, Bill 50, a record budget deficit, a by-election loss, visions of Northumberland, and Danielle Smith‘s entry onto the political stage, a new poll from Environics is showing the Stelmach led-PCs in a very different situation.
The telephone poll, conducted Oct. 19-31, finds that 34% of decided voters would cast a ballot for Mr. Stelmach and his Progressive Conservatives if an election were held now, compared to 28% for the fledgling Wildrose Alliance and new leader Danielle Smith.
The Liberals are in third with the backing of 20% of voters, followed by the NDP at 9% and the Greens at 8%.
The poll places the Stelmach-led PCs in second place in Calgary with 30% compared to 34% for the Wildrose Alliance, the Liberals at 20%, and the NDP at 8%. In Edmonton, the PC have the support of one-third of voters, followed by the Liberals at 27%, the Wildrose Alliance at 17% and the NDP at 13%. Outside the two major cities, the PCs hold 38% support, while the Wildrose Alliance has 32% and the Liberals are in third with 15%.
I am sure that this is not the kind of news that Premier Stelmach was hoping for only days before he faces a leadership review from his party’s delegates.
