Alberta's new United Conservative Party Leader, Jason Kenney, has a big supporter in Foothills MP John Barlow.

Barlow says after sitting with Kenney in the House of Parliament in Ottawa, he thinks UCP members have brought in the right man for the job.

"I know Jason's the type of person who's going to be able to make those tough decisions on the economy and oil and gas, and galvanize Albertan's behind him. So, I'm really excited to have Jason as the new Leader of the UCP Party."

Barlow sat with Kenney in Parliament under Stephen Harper in the waning days of his government and in opposition, until Kenney stepped down to pursue provincial politics.