Alberta PC party appoints new president focused on right-wing unity

The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta has appointed a new president one the organization believes will push unity with the Wildrose Party forward.

Len Thomwas appointed to the position at a board meeting Saturday. Hemost recently ran for the federal Conservatives in the 2015 election in Edmonton Strathcona, but lost to NDP MP Linda Duncan.

"I'm honoured to receive the support of the board and I look forward to working closely with our leader, Jason Kenney," Thom said in a news release.

Thom fills the spot left vacant by Katherine O'Neill, who stepped down last month, just three weeks afterKenney was elected PC leader.

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Thom said with Kenney, they are looking forward to executing "the will of our members to create a single, free-enterprise party before the next election."

"Party members voted overwhelmingly for unity, and I commend our board for its clear respect for the democratic will of members," Kenney said in the release.

But Kenney saysjust because both are focused on unity, that doesn't mean they won't explore other options if necessary.

"If we cannot reach a principled agreement with the Wildrose Party, or if the members of either party reject such an agreement, that I will do everything I can to build the PC party as the alternative to this disastrous NDP government."

The six-week deadline the group gave itself to reach a deal passed on Friday, but Kenney said a deal is close.

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