Wildrose looking to bump up leadership vote to end of March

The WildroseParty is looking to move up its search for a new leader in anticipation for a likely spring election.

On Saturday, the party held itsmemberassembly meeting in Calgary, which was attended by more than 200 members.

The original plan was to vote in a new head for the WildroseJune 5. But with all signs pointing to a provincial election being called in the coming months, getting a leader in place is a pressing issue for the party.

Party president Jeff Callawaysays the partys executive committee will make all efforts possible to move the leadership date forward to the end of March.

"It's not just our party that's in the middle of a leadership race.That, frankly, [Premier Jim Prentice] wasunfortunatelyan architect of and bears responsibility for," he said, referring to the floor crossings that saw nine Wildrose MLAs, including then-leader Danielle Smith, join the Tories.

The Alberta Liberal Party is also in need of a permanent leader after Raj Sherman stepped down on Jan. 26.

"Precedence is that you don't call elections when your opposition is in the midst of a leadership race but, perhaps, ethics and fairness be damned," Callaway said.

Heather Forsyth was choseninterim leader in Dec. 2014. Shesaid Saturday that the Wildrose will be ready, should Prentice announce what she called "an illegal election."

"We're going to win a ground war, we're going to be boots on the ground," she said.

Forsythsaid she hasno intention to seek the leadership on a permanent basis. Four candidates have come forward, including former spokesperson for the Taxpayer's FederationDerek Fildebrandt. Other candidates includeDrew Barnes,Brian Jean and Linda Osinchuk.