Wildrose rejects proposal to merge with Alberta Tories

The Wildrose Party will not merge with the Progressive Conservatives, despite a proposal that was put forward by Danielle Smith before she resigned as party leader.

Smith and eight other members of her caucus crossed to the PCs on Wednesday, a move that stunned Albertans and angered many Wildrose members.

• 9 Wildrose MLAs, including Danielle Smith, cross to Alberta Tories
• AUDIO |Premier Jim Prentice says democracy thriving in Alberta

The Wildrose executive committee and the remaining five caucus members unanimously rejected Smiths "reunification proposal."The party said the Tories never made any offers about a merger.

The future of any political party is decided by its members and voters, the news release said.

The Wildrose EC has reaffirmed its commitment to maintain Wildrose as a strong, independent political party.

The executive committee will meet with the remaining MLAs to decide who should serve as interim leader.

From critics to colleagues

Over the past month, the Wildrose caucus has lost 11 MLAs to the PC party. Former Wildrosers Kerry Towle and Ian Donovan crossed to the PCs late last month.

The move means some of the legislatures most outspoken critics of the PCs are now members of caucus.

Premier Jim Prentice said there were discussions about that issue during yesterdays closed-door meeting. He acknowledged comments made by the former Wildrosersover the past weeks and months cant just be taken back.

Individuals are going to have to wrestle with those things on a personal level, Prentice said in his year-end interview with CBC News. That will unfold over time.

Prentice said his job as leader is to knit people together and create a team that thrives.

The defections leavethe Wildrose with five seats, the same number as the Alberta Liberals.

It's now up to thespeaker of the legislature, Gene Zwozdesky, to decide which party will serve as the official opposition.

Zwozdesky said he is reviewing decisions made in the past from Alberta and in the rest of Canada.