Though I am many years past when I lievd in Nova Scotia, I call myself a Bluenoser and love elections there. Yesterday’s was a classic and a good-ish outcome, though the numbers might be reversed:
Last night, the Conservatives were elected or leading in 23 seats, four short of the 27 needed to form a majority. The New Democrats won 20 and the Liberals trailed with nine seats. Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie announced he was quitting politics after failing to win his own riding. With little debate to spice the campaign, it came down to whom voters trusted to lead the province. NDP Leader Darrell Dexter, a former journalist and lawyer, was the most experienced of the three political leaders and he gave Mr. MacDonald a tough fight. Polls showed the two running neck and neck until the last two weeks of the campaign, when the Conservatives pulled ahead. Despite their loss, the New Democrats improved their standing in the legislature. Their 20 seats represent a record high. Mr. Dexter told supporters he took some consolation in depriving the Conservatives of a majority. “But they did get re-elected,” he said, promising to continue the party’s tradition of co-operating with the governing Conservatives.
Darrell ran the bar at Kings when I was in undergrad and is supported by Graham Steele, one of my fellow Largs diasporans. Both are inordinately clever guys. These robust minorities and the co-operation they cause are a great model for all Parliaments and Parliamentarians. I said it before but given my druthers I’d outlaw majorities.