Premier Danielle Smith was taking heat from other western premiers over separatism Tuesday when an astonishing statement hit the airwaves.

The president of the UCP, Rob Smith (no relation), said the governing party will not take a stand on whether Alberta should separate or not.

Braid: Danielle Smith's party abandons federalism while western premiers blast her referendum Back to video

That’s Danielle Smith’s party. The one that made her the leader and, hence, the premier.

This party won’t endorse Alberta staying in Canada. They say that just as Smith begins her pro-Canada campaign.

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“It’s an absolute fact that a substantial number of our members are very pro on the concept of independence,” Rob Smith told an interviewer.

“We are a big tent of conservative-minded people, where divergent opinions are absolutely allowed.”

If Premier Smith had not allowed the referendum, he said, “I think we could very much be a divided party.

“Recognizing that we have a significant number of our members that are pro-independence, we will not be coming out in favour or against as a political party.

“But the........

© Calgary Herald