Real conservatives would take issue with that approach, particularly those in the Lougheed tradition (given the former premier’s steadfast defense of parliamentary supremacy and s.33).

There is no such thing as "real conservatives". They are all amoral authoritarian opportunists. This is easily seen by the fact that you have to go back to Peter Lougheed to find one.

This is a dangerous fiction. It allows voters to vote for people like Danielle Smith even if they think she's toxic, by convincing themselves that they are really supporting "real conservatism", whatever that is.