Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has pulled ahead of Rachel Notley’s NDP for the first time in over a year, according to a Janet Brown poll.

According to the numbers, UCP would win 47 seats to NDP winning 40, which would be enough for UCP to win a majority government, passing the required 45. The poll, cited by the Toronto Star, relied on the responses of 900 random Albertans between February 25 and March 10.

Only one third of Albertans can stomach Notley

At 36%, barely a third of Albertans are willing to get behind Rachel Notley and her socialist party.

With most COVID restrictions recently lifted in the province, the poll indicates Kenney is gaining momentum in contrast to the NDP led by Notley, known for her pro-lockdown positioning.

Amid the surge in party popularity, Brian Jean is eying the throne after resigning mid-term in 2018. Jean is an open challenger of Kenney’s leadership role as he looks to take over the UCP following the upcoming leadership review vote set for April 10 in Red Deer.

Just yesterday Jean indicated if he were UCP Leader he would have invited Notley to participate in COVID-related decisions. This would have led to stricter lockdown measures in the province but would have been an acceptable price to pay for political healing, according to the proposal.

Jean claims that improved numbers for the UCP are thanks to his return to politics.  “I’m not surprised at all, because people have known for a long time that I’m coming back into politics,” he said on Thursday. “I think I am actually providing people with hope for the future, for the UCP.”

However, another poll conducted by ResearchCo of 600 people from March 11 to March 13 indicates a 45% NDP preference to 30% UCP.

A lot more will be clear after the confidence vote in three weeks. Kenney needs more than 50% to maintain his position, otherwise, a UCP election will be triggered.