United Conservative MLAs vote to kick Drew Barnes, Todd Loewen from caucus

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — United Conservative MLAs have officially given the boot to MLAs Drew Barnes and Todd Loewen for challenging the leader.

Backbencher Todd Loewen was ejected after publicly announcing earlier in the day the party is adrift and out of touch under Kenney and that the premier must quit before things spiral further.

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Backbencher Drew Barnes had been the most vocal critic of Kenney’s COVID-19 health restrictions, saying they are of questionable effect and an intolerable infringement on personal freedoms.

UCP caucus whip Mike Ellis announced the decision in a statement, saying at this crucial time during the pandemic it’s critical that caucus remain united behind Kenney.

“There is simply no room in our caucus for those who continually seek to divide our party and undermine government leadership, especially at this critical juncture for our province,” Ellis went on to say.

Loewen had been the chair of the UCP caucus.

660 NEWS reached out to the Premier’s office on the situation, in which they responded:

“The Premier is proud to stand with his caucus colleagues and lead Alberta through the greatest health and economic crisis in a century. He looks forward to putting the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and working towards Alberta’s economic recovery.”