Jason Kenney is the new leader of the United Conservative Party, defeating former Wildrose leader Brian Jean and Doug Schweitzer.

Kenney took just over 61 per cent of the votes when the results of the party's first leadership contest were announced in Calgary on Saturday (Oct. 28).

When asked about possibly calling for an early election at a press conference this afternoon (Oct. 29), Kenney said it's unlikely.

"I can't see them voluntarily giving up a single day of power because of their ideology drive to remake Alberta in their own image. If anything I’m concerned that the NDP would violate the fixed election date legislation and try to move the election date to 2020. We’ll fight that if they intend to, but every day they’re not in power is a good day for Alberta.”

He said having such a strong caucus and a great team of MLA's, will allow him to focus on strenghthing the newly-formed party.
 
“It’s much more important that I get out there and work with our party to continue building our membership, to launch our democratic policy development process, to begin identifying great candidates who will be MLA’s and ministers in the next government, to work towards our founding convention and eventually next year our platform development.”
 
Kenney now leads an Opposition caucus of 27 members and has announced his intention to immediately seek a seat in the Legislature in the riding of Calgary–Lougheed, following MLA Dave Rodney’s pending retirement.
 
Nearly 94% of members eligible to vote in the leadership election cast their ballots between October 26 and 28 online or by telephone with approximately 63,000 members registering to vote by the October 13 deadline.