The United Conservative Party (UCP) has initiated an audit of its membership rolls in Red Deer following allegations that a covert campaign was launched to recruit socialists to influence the outcome of Premier Danielle Smith’s leadership review.
This development comes after a whistleblower exposed an alleged cash-for-vote scheme aimed at flooding the upcoming UCP convention with left-leaning members.
Dustin Van Vugt, the UCP’s executive director, confirmed the audit in a statement to The Counter Signal. “We will be checking memberships purchased in Red Deer over the last month to ensure they are party supporters and paid for with their own funds,” Van Vugt stated.
The UCP’s decision follows our recent report detailing accusations that a clandestine group was targeting Red Deer residents, offering cash reimbursements for registering and attending the UCP convention.
The goal, according to the whistleblower, was to have these new members vote against Smith in her leadership review, potentially removing her from office and replacing her with a more centrist alternative.
