Why is Link Byfield supporting Danielle Smith?
The Byfield name is synonymous with social conservatism in Alberta. So why would Link Byfield be supporting self-described libertarian Danielle Smith for leadership of the Wildrose Alliance?
Link Byfield - July 16, 2009
A number of my fellow “social conservatives” have asked me why I am supporting Danielle Smith for the leadership of our party, the Wildrose Alliance.
Inside the simple-minded world of the media, a “social conservative” is anti-abortion, anti-gay, authoritarian and judgmental. A “libertarian” is broad-minded, indulgent, and would allow individual choice.
Danielle Smith is not a “social conservative,” she is a “libertarian.” She has been friendly to, and worked alongside, “social conservatives,” but has never been one.
The party’s other leadership candidates, Mark Dyrholm and (if he can raise the $10,000 entry fee) Jeff Willerton, are openly and proudly “social conservatives.” So – since I’m a so-called “so-con” too – why support a libertarian?
Fair question. I have three answers.
First, I believe Danielle Smith has a far better chance of winning not only the party leadership, but the province – which is, after all, our party’s objective. She has the right personality, age, talent and drive to become a great premier.
Her competitors are fine people. I don’t know Mark Dyrholm well, but have known Willerton for years. They both have strong convictions. Having said that, however, I can’t picture most Albertans supporting either of them as easily as they will Danielle. This is a guess on my part, obviously, but on this point guessing is what we are all required to do.
Second, Danielle understands every bit as well as her competitors that “libertarians” and “social conservatives” have more in common than they have in difference, and that both groups are essential to any winning political coalition. So if both camps are seen as necessary and welcome by all three contenders, it is a moot point which one supplies the leader.
Let’s remember that what “social conservatives” most obviously want from government is not even available at the provincial level. No provincial government may repeal federal gay marriage rights, or restore the federal Criminal Code ban on abortion. Nor can the province legally “opt out” of either one, as some “social conservatives” I have heard seem to imagine.
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