It was established in July 2017 as a merger between the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta and the Wildrose Party.

[6] The party won a renewed majority mandate in the 2023 Alberta general election under the leadership of Danielle Smith.

Kenney had won the 2017 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election on a platform of uniting the two parties.

"[16] When the NDP won in 2015 an Edmonton Sun article blamed the mass Wildrose defections for the loss.

Negotiations between Wildrose leader Brian Jean and Kenney were successful; the merger agreement was released on May 18, 2017.

Ed Ammar was elected as first chair of the party on July 24, 2017. Cooper also appointed two MLAs to the board as non-voting members.

The PCs and Wildrose withdrew from any meaningful public presence, thus de facto dissolving them although they continued to exist on paper.

It also seeks to expand the Taxpayer Protection Act to make the consent of a majority of Albertans via a referendum a prerequisite for raising taxes.

[31] The 2022 United Conservative Party leadership election was held and was won by Danielle Smith.

The UCP under Premier Danielle Smith was re-elected to government in the 2023 Alberta general election with a reduced majority.

[42] The RCMP concluded their investigation into the 2017 UCP leadership race on March 8, 2024 and announced they found no evidence of wrongdoing.