Laurie Blakeman ponders future after left-leaning merger toppled

Edmonton MLA Laurie Blakeman says she may not run as a Liberal in the next election after party brass rejected her bid to merge with the Alberta Party.

Blakeman told CBC News on Monday that she plans to take a few days before making any decisions about her political future.

"I'm just feeling a little grumpy today, understandably so."

Over the weekend, Blakemansaid she would like to be interim Liberal leader if given a mandate to eventually amalgamate the Liberals with the Alberta Party.

On Sunday, the party selected David Swann as their interim leader instead.

She said it was a clear message from the executive and the board that they reject a merger.

“I got thousands of emails and texts and Facebook postings and Twitters [sic] yesterday from people who really did want that. The difference is they’re not in the party. And that was my frustration,” said Blakeman, who believes the Liberals need to do something to unite progressive voters.

“How do we capture those people who are 25 to 40? ...They’ve got energy and time and money and they want to be involved.”

Pressure seems to be building for opposition parties to get their campaign plans in order, after a rash of PC caucus resignations has fuelled speculation over a spring election.

Alberta Party leader Greg Clark told reporters in Calgary on Monday that he is still interested in a merger and was disappointed with the Liberals' decision.

"I've heard from a lot of people in the Alberta Liberals, even in the last 24 hours, who've said they're interested and disappointed in what their board did," he said.

"My message is if there are people out there who are supporters of the Alberta Liberals, who I would think would find a home with the Alberta Party, certainly they're welcome."