After Alberta's referendum, the separatist fight moves inside the governing party

Premier Danielle Smith dropped “sovereignty” from her slogan, now “Stronger Alberta within a United Canada”, two days after the vote. Separatists won roughly 25 per cent of valid votes.

Smith said anyone representing the United Conservative Party in an official role must accept the referendum's result. She would not say whether she would disqualify those who do not.

“She’s telling us to pick between her and Alberta independence.”

— Mitch Sylvestre, UCP constituency association president

What's next

At the party's annual meeting in late November, members will elect nearly half the provincial board, and leading separatists plan to run. If they win enough seats, they can force a review of Smith's leadership.