Wildrose MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Nathan Cooper is the interim leader for the newly formed United Conservative Party. The Progressive Conservative and Wildrose caucuses met earlier this afternoon both in person and on the phone for the decision.
Cooper was elected on May 5, 2015 to the Legislative Assembly, where he is the House Leader and currently serves on several committees. Before he was elected, he was the chief of staff and director of legislative affairs for the Wildrose caucus. Cooper has also served two terms as councillor for his hometown of Carstairs.
A permanent leader will be elected on October 28. Brian Jean is expected to formally launch his campaign for party leader later this afternoon.
On Saturday, both parties voted 95% in favour of unity.