Manitoba is heading the polls on October 4th. It has elected the NDP to the government since 1999, and a victory in 2011 would be a fourth term for the party. Still this election is much different from 2007, for a wide variety of reasons.Polling numbers since Gary Doer's resignation as Premier have shown the NDP dropping in support comparable to the PC Party, in the low 40's. The Liberals are staying at about 12%, and the Greens appear to have quadrupled their support to 8%.
These numbers are puzzling to me. Support doesn't evaporate without a valid explanation, and yet the NDP's record has been environmental protections, one of the smallest deficits in the country, along with one of the best unemployment rates. Manitoba seems to be a wonderful province that I would love to visit and feel the warmth and security of social democracy. Still, it could always be the fact that Greg Selinger wasn't elected Premier by the province, but rather the party.
This could also very well be the last run for many party leaders. Should Greg Selinger, Hugh McFadyen, or Jon Gerrard lose, it is very possible they won't be in Winnipeg for the 2015 election writs. This election will be a test of NDP strength away from Doer at the helm, and if successful, would become the longest running period for social democrats in power outside of Saskatchewan.
The people of the province are smart. They know that previous PC leaders such as Mr. Lyon, or Mr. Filmon didn't move the province forward, but rather in the opposite direction. It's time the province stop flirting with conservatism and realize the blossoming utopia they are about to embark on with a social democratic Manitoba.
No comments:
Post a Comment