Yellowknife (Dec 10/03) - Yellowknife Progressive Conservatives voted 4-1 in favour of joining forces with the Canadian Alliance party.

Across Canada, the proposal won the support of 90 per cent of Tory party members.

"This vote represents a move forward," said James W. Philip, a long-time Yellowknife PC party member. "Canada can move on because we have a national conservative party, not a watered down version."

Alex Debogorski, another long-time member, was also pleased with the outcome.

"I say we stand a much better chance of representing a much larger group of people in the next election," Debogorski said.

In a speech to PC party members listening across Canada, leader Peter MacKay told followers to "stay involved" and "stay active" in the new party.

MacKay said the Liberals now will be facing "a united, strong conservative family" in the next federal election. The leadership race for the party will begin in the new year.