The impact of Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie's words to Premier Jason Kenney over internal United Conservative Party (UCP) shenanigans will be better known after the party's AGM this weekend in Calgary.

At Monday's caucus meeting, he delved into internal maneuvers he believes have taken the party away from its grassroots and distracted the government from dealing with more important matters.

"Our membership just wants to see a fair and equitable process, one that's not predetermined. So, I'm just putting forward the thoughts I'm hearing from constituents, as well as the party," says Guthrie.

It followed on the steps of 22 UCP constituency associations, amounting to 25 per cent of all riding associations, backing a motion to have the party leadership review take place before Mar. 1, 2022. 

Another resolution from the Edmonton-Northwest Assoc. will be hitting the floor at the AGM to increase the threshold to 29 riding associations, increasing the percentage to 33 per cent from 25. Current UCP director of communications Dave Prisco heads up that association.

"As far as the grassroots are concerned, if they got it in pre-AGM, it should stand," says Guthrie, "even if they change that governance requirement. It will be interesting to see if they change it, but I think it's not going to make the grassroots happy to see a change like that come post-AGM."

"We pride ourselves on being a grassroots party and listening to the membership, and that does seem to fly in the face of the grassroots."

He believes the AGM is possibly being manipulated to put the premier and party in a better position to control the review process and says some political staff members are involved.

"I think most people, myself included, expect the political staff to focus on the issues at hand. Their continual push on the party side is just a distraction from the serious issues that are going on right now."

He includes among them the ongoing battle with COVID, a landlocked energy industry that's under attack, and a federal government that's hell-bent on taking down the province.

"I think that's where the focus should be, rather than focusing on party matters."

While at the AGM, Guthrie says he'll be spending his time listening to other party members.

"I just want what's best for the future of the party, so this weekend at that AGM will be about listening."

Public opinion of the party has waned of late, and at the heart of it is the sharp decline in Kenney's approval rate that's nearing the 20 per cent mark. Still, Guthrie believes there's time to reverse the UCP's fortunes before the next election.

"I certainly think that it is salvageable, no question. We are 19 months away from an election, and I think we do need to listen to constituents and what they're telling us. The status quo doesn't seem to be working right now."

While not providing specific details, Guthrie says Kenney defended his position when confronted, something he fully expected.

He says the reaction of caucus members to his letter has been wide-ranging.