Calgary MLA Len Webber to seek federal Tory nomination

Len Webber, MLA for Calgary Foothills, will seek the federal Conservative nomination for the newly-established riding of Calgary Confederation.

The announcement came Monday at the Banff Trail Community Association. Webber is the first candidate to declare an intention to seek the nomination.

"I live and have raised my children in this community," he said. "I have worked tirelessly for a variety of important causes in my community, and I have a record of political service that is strong and transparent."

Webber told the audience he expects to run a positive and unifying campaign.

Alberta'sProgressive Conservative Partyhave long been embroiled in struggles between "blue Tories"and "red Tories" thathopeto see the party's agenda become either more conservative or liberal.

"That stuff doesn't matter federally, because there is just one Conservative Party of Canada, united under a sensible platform and the solid leadership of Stephen Harper, with voters who don't care about labels," Webber said.

Webbersays he will not be resigning from his seat as MLA for Calgary Foothills for now.

There is nodate set for the nomination meeting and election but Webber says his campaign will now hit the ground running ahead of that announcement.