Redford addresses PC convention ahead of leadership review

In a speech that preceded a vote on her leadership, Premier Alison Redford told delegates at the Progressive Conservative convention in Red Deer on Friday that she is looking aheadto the next provincial election in 2016.

I give you my commitment that our team of Progressive Conservative candidates will build on our partys legacy of success," she said.

"Our province has been well served by successive ProgressiveConservative governments since the days of PeterLougheedbecause our party has time and time again that we can lead in changing times.

"We can. We will and we do."

Redford also used her speech to talk about how her government is building and modernizing schools, openingfamily care clinics andholdingspending while dealing with the effects of the so-called "Bitumen Bubble."

Pipelines and energy were also a theme. Redford brought up thenew framework agreement on pipelines reached with B.C. PremierChristyClarkas well as work on the east-west pipeline with New Brunswick Premier DavidAlward.

She also commendedAlbertansfor how they pulled together during the floods in southern Alberta earlier this year.

Party as family

Redford name-checked a number of delegates and thanked the members of her candidate team from the 2012 election who stood behind her on the stage.

Our party truly is a family, she said. We stick together through thick and thin I have had the privilege of growing within this family and for that I am truly, truly grateful.

After Redford wrapped up her speech just before 9 p.m., voting opened upon her leadership.Results will be announced around 3 p.m.Saturday.

Observers believe it is unlikely that delegates will vote to find anew leadereven if they dislike Redford.

The vast majority of them are going to realize they're really doing damage to their party if they vote against the premier, saidMacEwanUniversity political science professor JohnSoroski.

So I think even those who are not particularly happy will hold their nose and give a thumbs up to the premier because really if you don't, you're sort of creating really a strategic disadvantage for yourself going forward.

Soroskisays Tories who are frustrated with Redford or the direction of the party have likely left and joined theWildrose.