One of the political hangovers from next Monday’s separatism referendum (and let’s be honest, the separation question is the only one of the 10 referendum questions most Albertans care about), will be the continued trouble separatists supporters will give Premier Danielle Smith in trying to hold the United Conservative Party together.

She will have no one to blame but herself. She cozied up to the separatists to get elected leader in 2022. Called a referendum to try to placate what they saw as her growing hostility to their movement. And she has so badly confused her messaging on the question of separation that a lot of federalist voters have become convinced she is a separatist at heart, while a lot of separatists suspect her of harbouring pro-Ottawa sympathies.

GUNTER: Alberta voters unsure where Premier Danielle Smith stands on separation Back to video

Since she called the referendum, Smith has seemed to want to stand with one foot on either side of a pointy picket fence.

Last Friday, when asked by the CBC if there would be a second referendum if Albertans vote next Monday to stay in Canada, Smith said emphatically, “Not as long as I’m........

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