Alberta politics are a-buzz with the announcement of the United Conservative Party.

NDP Banff-Cochrane MLA Cameron Westhead, says even though the unity train is just leaving the station, he notices things are already starting to derail.

Stating, the United Conservative Party (UCP) seems to be somewhat out of touch with mainstream upward values as a number of members are leaving the party. News that right-wing MLA Richard Starke won't be joining the united caucus is not surprising to Westhead, as some members feel their veiwpoints are no longer welcome.

With the political party just getting started, Westhead, is hopeful Albertans will continue to look at which parties best reflect values and which party is going to make  lives better. "Really judge parties on policies that they are putting forward, all we are seeing from the UCP is that they're just going to undo everything but they haven't put forward a positive vision of how they are going to make Alberta better. I know policies they have talked about in terms of undoing things would see school fees go up, they would take away the school nutrition program, take away the $25 care program; so people need to examine what parties are really offering them in terms of positive image for the province."

While the NDP watch how things roll out with the new party, they will keep to their platform. "Albertans elected us to make their lives better and put policies into place that matter to their lives and we're going to continue with that trajectory."

Despite earlier rumors that an early election may be called, Westhead, says there are no indications of that happening.