Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
The votes are in and NDP incumbent John Horgan will serve another four years in the B.C. legislature.
Horgan said he is pleased to have been successful and even with a Liberal majority he will continue to do his best. He had every expectation of the NDP forming the next government.
Horgan said there is no Liberal representation in the Capital Regional District and only two Liberal members on Vancouver Island.
"It means the government will have to work extra hard to understand the issues here. I'm hopeful Christy will talk to us."
Horgan in analyzing their loss, said it seems to demonstrate that a negative campaign s a successful campaign. He said Adrian (Dix) stuck to the issues while the Liberals bombarded the public for 18 months on the negativity of Dix and the NDP.
"It put doubts in their (the voters) minds. It's no excuse," said Horgan, "we didn't run a very good campaign. It clearly was not a winning campaign or the outcome would have been different."
Horgan also felt that the results show an "Americanization" of British Columbia with two parties.
As for the showing by the Green Party in the seat won by Andrew Weaver from incumbent Ida Chong, Horgan said they would have to wait and see how Andrew Weaver does.
"He does demonstrate to the people that he's relevant."
He said the "industrial heartland" of the province rejected both the NDP and Green platforms.
"There are so many people despondent today," he stated.
As for the polls which called for an NDP win, Horgan said the public opinion polls are not worth the paper they are printed on.
"Here on the Island the voters are pretty negative to the government and I hope they are not vindictive."
"It's going to be a long four years," said Horgan on Wednesday. "I'm grateful for the support I did get. I get a real positive response in Sooke."
He said there are a lot of people "glum today."
Horgan topped the polls with11,272 votes (53.58 per cent), trailed by Liberal Kerrie Reay with 6,513 (30.96 per cent) and finishing with 3,253(15.46 per cent).
The Liberals have won 50 seats, the NDP 33, Green Party 1 and Independent 1 in the province. Of the eligible voters only 52 per cent came out to cast their ballot. Liberal party leader Christy Clark did not win her seat in Vancouver-Point Grey, NDP David Eby took it with a margin of 785 votes. The Liberals had 44.4 per cent of the popular vote, with 39.5 per cent tallied by the NDP.