Jason Kenney's unite-the-right push has former MLA tearing up PC membership

With Jason Kenney as the presumptive front runnerto become Alberta's next Progressive Conservativeleader, one longtime party memberis openly talking about needinga new political home.

Former PC MLA and senator Ron Ghitter says Kenney's plan to dismantle the PCs has rendered him and others political orphans.

"It's illogical to vote for a person who wants to disband the party," Ghitter said.

"Philosophically, he doesn't live where a lot of we Progressive Conservatives live. He's an ideologue, more on the right, and that's not where you win elections in the longterm in Alberta."

• Last-ditch bid to turf Jason Kenney from Alberta PC leadership race fails
• 'Time is of the essence': Brian Jean calls for merger within six months

Ghitter says he's theoretically ripped up his membership card and stopped his donations to the party because he's uncomfortable with Kenney's platform to merge with the Wildrose Party.

He doesn't think a united right is a slam dunk to defeat Rachel Notley in "a modern Alberta."

PCs still have strong brand

"[Albertans] voted NDP because the NDP was speaking to them. It wasn't just a negative about the Conservatives," he said.

"I'm a [Peter] Lougheedconservative. I'm a conservative that believes you're in the middle;you care for all people, you don't go right or left, you deal with the issues that are right for Alberta."

The PCs still have a strong brand that is on par with the Wildrose Party in terms of popularity, says Ghitter. He says he would like to see the party continue their tradition of strong government.

• Blast from past: Jason Kenney trumpets endorsement from 50 former MLAs
• Jason Kenney says he has Stephen Harper's support in uniting Alberta's right

"What you do need is a centrist party, not an ideologue party on the left and what's going on on the right. You need a party that will relate to all Albertans that won't be a social conservative party that wants to get into the bedrooms and all these things of everybody. You don't need that in Alberta."

Ghitter admits he may be inclined to vote NDP in the next election if the party moves more to the centre.

• MORE ALBERTA NEWS|Olympic Plaza brick app leads you to your Calgary '88 legacy
• MORE ALBERTA NEWS|Community, police work together to return stolen WW I medals to family