party. Mr. McIver, who had been the labour minister, also took aim at his predecessor moments after he walked off the stage. "At times we were arrogant and complacent. And sometimes we forgot to apologize like we meant it."

He said the party was "too quick to blame others" – an apparent reference to a statement Mr. Prentice made on a radio program in early March, when he said Albertans only had to "look in a mirror" to understand why the province was facing a budget deficit.

"No one has a divine right to govern," Mr. McIver continued. "Many of the people who can determine whether this is a four-year misconduct or a lifetime expulsion [for the PC party] are in this room today."

The Tory party says it sold 1,550tickets, mostly before the vote, for the Calgary reception. Only 208 coats and umbrellas were checked on the rainy night; however, as many as 1,000 may have been in attendance, party staff said. The annual dinner was once a highlight of the city's social calendar and most in attendance on Thursday were drawn from corporate Calgary.

The PCs had considered cancelling the $500-a-plate fundraiser after their electoral disaster. Requests for refunds were rejected. In the end, the dinner was transformed into a reception that was largely standing tables and finger foods.

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"I've supported the party in the past, but it's a bit like looking at a car crash; you can't take your eyes off it," said Al Block as he mingled with others at the downtown event.