Alberta politics: Wildrose fallout the story to watch in 2015

Fallout from the unprecedented floor crossing of Danielle Smith and eight other Wildrose MLAs will likely be the political story to watch in Alberta in 2015, according to political experts.

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It was so unheard of that most people needed to actually see Danielle Smith shake Jim Prentice's handto realize the rumours were true thatthe opposition leader was joining the Tories.

"That's something that's going to be cited in Canadian political science textbooks in Canada for years, or possibly decades, to come," saidDuane Bratt, a political science professor atMount Royal University.

He calls it a gamble by Smith and Prentice, but one that's paying off so far asSmith and her Wildrose MLAs are in governmentand Prentice has a massive majority.

But Bratt suggests there will be turmoil.

"It's like being traded to a team because the coach likes you, but everyone on the team despises you," he said.

Pollster Janet Brown sees the backlash against Smith by Wildrose supporterscontinuing in the new year.

"The vitriol, the kind of messages on Twitter and Facebook are beyond anything we have seen for a normal floor crossing."

Both are curious to see whether any of the floor crossers will receive cabinet posts,and whether they will have to fight for the Progressive Conservativenomination in their ridings.

If so, Bratt believes could Smith couldlose in her constituency of Highwood.