Danielle Smith says she can win next Alberta election without separatist support

When Danielle Smith became leader of the United Conservative Party, it was thanks to the grassroots. Fresh off a referendum where Albertans voted to stay in Canada, Smith, in conversation with Kathleen Petty from CBC's West of Centre podcast, laughed when asked if she could stay on as leader and win next year's provincial election without separatist supporters. The people who were supporting me were the ones who were really concerned about the COVID response. The people who were supporting me were the ones who were concerned about some of the DEI ideology. But one prominent Alberta separatist advocate says that base that helped Smith become leader is now committed to independence, and she will need them to hang on to power. And I believe she can actually not succeed without them. This political observer says an upcoming annual general meeting for the party could be tough for Smith. It's going to be a difficult time for her, depending on how divisive it is. It could, you know, erode people, voters' perception of the party being an effective governing party. Something the official opposition is already going after. This government's agenda is in a shambles. They were given a thumping defeat in this referendum. Smith also insists despite spending tens of millions of dollars and seeing division in the province, the referendum was worth it. It's important for us to have some closure. We had a very robust debate that created uncertainty and now we know. Now we know that we've got to work with Ottawa. Now some argue the process has created new uncertainty. Who are the UCP? Are half of them these people with separatist views? Or are they a small minority? Smith is expected to face more tough questions when the Alberta legislature starts its fall sitting next week. Julia Wong, CBC News, Edmonton.