NDP wins majority in Nova Scotia

By Christy Marsters

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Chuck Porter was returned Tuesday night as the MLA for Hants West, but across Nova Scotia the election unveiled a much different story for the Progressive Conservatives.

Porter returns to Province House as one of the few from his party. He won the riding by a 310-vote margin, with a total of 3,374 votes. Liberal Paula Lunn finished second with 3,065 votes, the NDP candidate Barbara Gallagher received 2,401 votes and Green Party candidate Sheila Richardson picked up 204 votes. In 2006, Porter defeated Lunn with 45 votes.

For the first time in history, the New Democratic Party has earned the support of the province -- with a majority vote -- to fill 31 of 52 seats in the Legislature. Liberals claimed 11 seats to become the official Opposition and Conservatives fell to third-party status with 10.

Gallagher said although she finished third in her riding, she was extremely excited with the NDP winning a majority under the leadership of Darrell Dexter. “I think people are excited about the changes coming. I am excited; we’ve made history. This is the first NDP government here and it is with a majority.”

It wasn’t a huge surprise the Conservatives did win the riding, Gallagher noted. “Chuck is very well respected in the community. I have to give credit where it’s due. “It’s too soon to say if I’ll continue to be involved in politics formally,” Gallagher said. “But I’m always concerned about local issues and I’ll keep involved in the community. “I’d like to congratulate Chuck and each of the other candidates as well,” Gallagher said. “Plus all those who worked hard and who got out to vote. It was more about leadership in this election. People simply wanted someone with steady experience.”

Dexter is now the Premier-elect and it’s the first time in 10 years this province has had a majority government.

A little disappointed: Lunn

Lunn said she was a little disappointed with this year’s results because her party was doing well until a surge in the NDP polls split the vote and the Progressive Conservative candidate came through the middle to win. “Still I appreciate, regardless of what anyone voted, that people got out and voted,” Lunn said. “I wish everyone all the best and I’m looking forward to seeing how things shape out with a new government. I’ll continue to be positive. “But I won’t be running again,” Lunn said. “I have a career I need to concentrate on and it takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to be out campaigning. I have a lot of other opportunities to take. Still, I had fabulous team and wonderful support. “I have to congratulate the NDP and the Green Party, who also ran fabulous and clean campaigns,” Lunn noted. “It has just been a long-time Progressive Conservative stronghold.”

Maintained numbers: Greens

Richardson said she was simply pleased her party was able to maintain a stronghold on numbers traditionally seen in this area for Greens. “We thought we would lose votes to the NDP, but we gained and maintained in many areas,” Richardson said. “I thought we did well. We’ve got a small base to start with. “However, we went up a bit,” Richardson noted. “Votes are not won in the 35 days before an election. And we’re hoping to meet regularly so we can hold more forums and continue to be visible. Keep our profile up, and we’ll get someone in eventually.”

Environmental concerns have to be addressed and slowly, piece-by-piece, she said. “The Green Party will build up so people will listen and act. I am committed to the Green Party. Everyone ran a good campaign, but we’ll do even better next time.”