Live blog: election night dispatches from B.C. NDP headquarters

    1 of 6 2 of 6

      Reporter Carlito Pablo is on the scene at the B.C. NDP's headquarters at the Vancouver Convention Centre tonight (May 14), filing observations, items of interest, and up to the minute infomation. Check back throughout the night for the latest news.


      More B.C. NDP news: 

      NDP shows improvement in Vancouver, despite losing B.C. election

      10:50 p.m.: At 10:20 p.m., B.C. NDP leader Adrian Dix mounted the stage to deliver his concession speech.

      He told supporters that he has called B.C. Liberal Leader Christy Clark to congratulate her on her party's victory in the May 14 election.

      "It is our responsibility, it is our duty to accept that decision," Dix said.

      He said that if there is one disappointment that he had, other than the overall result of the race, "it's that we haven't managed to raise issues of participation in our democracy". He was referring to the low voter turnout.

      "We are disappointed but we are unbowed," Dix said about the outcome of the election. " We're going to continue to work for the things that New Democrats have always worked for, to continue to do it in a positive way."

      He also said that there are lessons to be learned from the campaign but he cautioned that these shouldn't be the "wrong lessons".

      "We ran a positive, forward looking campaign," Dix said. "We fought hard together. We didn't criticize one another. We worked hard. That's something that I'm very proud of."

      More B.C. NDP news:

      NDP blows lead much like the B.C. Liberals did in 1996

      NDP leading in three of four Burnaby constituencies

      9:56 p.m.: At 9:45 p.m., the Straight asked re-elected Vancouver-Hastings MLA Shane Simpson what appears to have happened with his party's supposed cakewalk to Victoria.

      Here's how Simpson responded:

      "Well I think that first of that there’s still a lot of polls to count. They have counted less than half the polls, I’m looking for the rest of the polls to the counted. It’s obviously very close.

      "Clearly the pollsters who picked the bigger percentage you know the pollsters will have to talk about that tomorrow. But at this point, I’m still looking forward to counting the 50 or so polls in many of these constituencies."

      9:39 p.m.: Reelected Vancouver-Mount Pleasant MLA Jenny Kwan is rallying the troops.

      As trends continue to indicate a B.C. Liberal upset of what looked to be an easy ride for New Democrats, Kwan bravely tells supporters at the Vancouver Convention Centre: "The night is young. The night is young."

      Don't worry, Kwan assured, saying "The orange wave is coming."

      9:21 p.m.: A sense of nervousness seem to have descended at the B.C. NDP gathering. As partial results show B.C. Liberals leading the race, the less enthusiastic the crowd has become.

      Reelected Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert just returned to the stage to announce the new batch of winners from the party. These include Michelle Mungall of Nelson-Creston.

      The question now really is this: what happened?

      After leading poll after poll, the B.C. NDP appear to be headed for collapse.

      The mood here really isn't a joyous one.

      Spencer Chandra Herbert addresses a subdued crowd.
      Marcel Chaves

      More B.C. NDP news:

      Spencer Chandra Herbert is elected in Vancouver–West End

      Jenny Kwan appears on her way to a big victory in Vancouver–Mount Pleasant

      NDP Leader Adrian Dix elected in Vancouver-Kingsway

      9:00 p.m.: About an hour after the polls closed, the loudest cheer so far has erupted at the B.C. NDP party event. It's the news that party Adrian Dix has won Vancouver-Kingsway.

      This was announced on the stage by Jenny Kwan, herself an early winner, having secured another term in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.

      Kwan promised the crowd more good news is going to roll in as the night progresses.

      Jenny Kwan takes to the stage.
      Marcel Chaves


      8:50 p.m.: Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Herbert is the first to officially take to the stage.

      To loud cheers, Herbert announced the first batch of re-elected MLAs by the party: Jenny Kwan of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, Rob Fleming of Victoria-Swan Lake, and Scott Fraser of Alberni-Pacific Rim.

      According to Herbert, he and Kwan will be the first to host the evening party.

      8:25 p.m.: The B.C. NDP faithful start filling seats around the main stage as initial election results begin trickling in.

      Excitement is steadily building. Applause greets the scene as very preliminary figures indicate longtime New Democrat MLA Jenny Kwan leading in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. Not much of a surprise there though.

      Read more: Jenny Kwan appears on her way to a big victory in Vancouver–Mount Pleasant

      Spencer Chandra Herbert announces the first NDP winners.
      Marcel Chaves
      It's a party at B.C. NDP's election night headquarters.
      Marcel Chaves

      8:04 p.m.: Three giant screens, a huge B.C. flag, a circular podium with an orange podium marked NDP, and 12 rows of seats.

      These are the images at the centre of the B.C. NDP election night gathering at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

      Earlier around 7:30 p.m., a production crew practised some of the moves that may be seen later tonight.

      A stand-in was introduced as B.C. NDP president Moe Sihota and spoke a few words at the podium. Another stand-in was also introduced as Mable Elmore, the party's representative in Vancouver-Kensington. The stand-in Elmore introduced B.C. NDP leader Adrian Dix. It was all a practice.

      Marcel Chaves

      Comments

      16 Comments

      gregg

      May 14, 2013 at 9:03pm

      Ha! Complete and utter implosion of the left. Canadians reject socialism - don't EVER forget that!

      Carol

      May 14, 2013 at 9:30pm

      OMG I can't believe this province voted Christy Clarke back in . It is not the liberal party that she represents. Her party is the marriage of the Social Credit and Reform party..wake up people!! however, hopefully this means BC will vote for Justin Trudeau when he is running for Prime Minister!! That gives me hope!!

      Heisenberg

      May 14, 2013 at 9:50pm

      Wow, what an unexpected ass whooping.

      lool

      May 14, 2013 at 9:50pm

      I knew this would happen. The so-called "left" can never agree on anything, so they split their vote with a strong Green vote and guarantee any populist fraud will remain in power.

      TMZ-style campaigns with hyper attack ads works. It's how Harper is still in power. Remember that if you ever run for office and are gullible enough to run a 'clean and nice' campaign.

      Roger

      May 14, 2013 at 9:54pm

      The NDP need to go to court and have the ballots hand counted. Come on. Does anyone really believe that ALL the polls were wrong? That the internal polling was wrong? That the support on the ground was wrong? Something smells here.

      Joker

      May 14, 2013 at 9:59pm

      BC Voters repeatedly elected a NeoCon 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.

      HellSlayerAndy

      May 14, 2013 at 10:23pm

      HA HA
      Another election the Opposition should have won?

      So tell us all again...what exactly has being the political arm of the trade union movement actually done for you? They don't even VOTE for the NDP anymore!

      You're a joke that just delivered another BAD government. Cheap front.

      Stephen White

      May 14, 2013 at 10:59pm

      Thanks to the Green Party and in particular all those who voted for them. You have ensured the environment will have absolutely no priority for the next 4 years. Whether it's supertankers carrying oilsands tar through our coastal waters, the loss of 'Jumbo' to needless and unwanted development or pipelines and fracking - we can thank the Greens and their supporters for it all. Every 'Green' vote ensured a 'Liberal' win, GO GREENS!

      HellSlayerAndy

      May 14, 2013 at 11:03pm

      Stephen White
      "Thanks to the Green Party and in particular all those who voted for them."

      Your party has won 3 elections in 60 years and you want to blame the Greens.

      Your Yellow Scarf is tied a little too tight, me thinks.

      teth adam

      May 14, 2013 at 11:04pm

      the people have spoken. clearly, the ndp were too far to the left to be palatable to british columbians. people want jobs and a healthy economy, not a party driven by activism and social justice issues.