B.C. Liberals win fourth consecutive majority government

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      The B.C. Liberals have stunned many people across the province by winning a resounding election victory.

      Leader Christy Clark was counted out by many pundits. By appealing to the base with a relentless message of economic growth, she led her party to a surprise victory.

      The B.C. Liberals have followed in the footsteps of incumbent parties in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario that were reelected in 2012 after appearing to be behind in the polls.

      With 6,919 of 11,331 ballot boxes counted, the B.C. Liberals have 44.66 percent of the vote, compared to 38.98 percent for the NDP, 7.73 percent for the Greens, and 5.12 percent for the B.C. Conservatives.

      The B.C. Liberals look like they'll win approximately 50 of the 85 seats, but there are still many uncounted votes.

      The NDP's share of the popular vote has fallen from 2005 and 2009, when the party under former leader Carole James captured 42 percent.

      Comments

      38 Comments

      Roger

      May 14, 2013 at 9:56pm

      Hand count needed.

      Tommy

      May 14, 2013 at 9:59pm

      THANKS GREENS

      Lex

      May 14, 2013 at 10:10pm

      the people of bc are pathetic losers and deserve this government because they haven't got the balls to get out and VOTE don't bother complaining fro the next 4 years when you could have done something to change it and you sat on your ass and did fuck all.

      What a Joke!

      May 14, 2013 at 10:13pm

      BC Voters repeatedly elected a Neo-Con convicted Drunk Driver and now the Federal Cons Ms.Puppet in a majority.

      The NDP should have been uber aggressive about the Deficits & Scandals like BC Rail.

      Instead the NDP and Dix tried to play nice against uber Neo-Cons.

      You fight Fire with Fire NDP / Dix not ignore it idiot.

      M. Collie

      May 14, 2013 at 10:18pm

      I would like my share of the prosperity fund to be paid out in antidepressants. In the meantime, please research the possibility of exporting my Liquified Salty Tears.

      *%#2!**

      May 14, 2013 at 10:26pm

      it is like a bad canuck victory in game 7

      James G

      May 14, 2013 at 10:26pm

      A bit premature depending upon the advance poll results but if it holds, there is no doubt the NDP had it to lost and did. Never mind the collapse of the BC Conservatives and never mind the rise of the Green Party. This was due to the inward and insular nature of the party leadership. They have come a long way federally as a party open to new members and new ideas but not so provincially. Time to open up to people who share the ideals of a Matt Toner and Andrew Weaver. This is the way forward, not battening down the hatches and then being forced into coalitions and alliances.

      Remember how adamant that Ed Broadbent and others were that no mere former provincial Liberal could lead them? Remember how they insisted that instead, Brian Topp, an unknown quantity to almost all Canadians could easily stand in for Jack Layton? It ignored the fact that Layton spent a life running in elections and met people across the country as president of the Federation of Canadian municipalities. Brian Topp was a backroom guy who never stood before voters. Because the party culture is so insular, they assumed the electorate would connect the dots as easily as they did.!

      Topp ran a failed campaign for his own leadership aspirations which might just have succeeded if he had run for the open seat in Toronto Danforth, or if he had had the foresight to enter his name into one of the Quebec ridings in the 2011 federal election. He did not win the subsequent race for federal leader.

      Then, the BC NDP, with more knowledge and experience about it's opponents, the hostile press and the political terrain here than it required, went and hired Mr. Topp. Well, even if his own record had been more stellar, hiring from within instead of looking for the best wasn't the right approach.

      Going with the "Let's Sing Kumbaya"/Wasn't Jack Layton's Legacy Great? approach to the rough and tumble of BC politics was never smart. The NDP came into the election armed to the teeth with issues and hardly fired a shot. Yet, it's not just Topp and it's not just Broadbent. The NDP has to stop talking to itself and its long term supporters and start talking to Canadians of every kind.

      There ended up being too much promised in terms of spending, too little fightback in political advertising and too much of tiny groups of the same people haggling over dinner about policy. A bad day for BC!

      Stockholm Syndrome in BC

      May 14, 2013 at 10:27pm

      I can't believe this result. Are the people of this province masochistic idiots or do they just like being victims. Cheers to the 1% because they are the main beneficiaries.

      RUK

      May 14, 2013 at 10:30pm

      Even though I have been doubting the sure prediction of Liberal loss, I am shocked. I guess one lesson is not to rely in polls. The only good poll is an exit poll!

      Another might be: charisma counts.

      On the up side, my personal favourite, Mayor McBikelane, is looking better and better as the premier after this premier.

      Ali Said

      May 14, 2013 at 10:34pm

      Looks like Chrissy may lose... so it's the best of both world... sweet indeed. Veniez will eat his hat.