On June 9, Nova Scotia held an election for its provincial legislature. For the first time, the New Democratic Party won control of that body. The results are: 31 seats for New Democrats, 11 for the Liberals, 10 for the Progressive Conservatives. The Progressive Conservatives had been the majority party until this election.
The share of the popular vote was: New Democratic 45.3%, Liberal 27.2%, Progressive Conservative 24.5%, Green 2.3%, other .7%. Thanks to Rick Kissell for this news.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Nova_Scotia_election#Results_by_party
That’s a huge shift in party control. It would be great to have a multi-party system in the US. When voters are dissatisfied with one party they don’t have as many choices when there are only two dominant parties.
Great Job NDP… I am so pleased with this Election and hopefully we will see a change. Congrats Mr Darrell Dexter… My family is looking foreward to seeing the change that Nova Scotia needs.. We have faith that you can do it.. Again CONGRATS…
Too bad the NDP believes in even MORE government than the others. Somehow I doubt more government is really what Nova Scotia needs.
As do most Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia has three “major” parties, in spite of plurality elections in single member districts. This election is a good illustration of the result: the NDP got almost 60% of the seats on 45% of the vote. As a motivator for electoral reform, this fact is a lot more important than the fact that the Greens should have gotten one seat instead of none.
The situation in the U.K. is very similar (parliamentary government, plurality elections, three national parties plus various regional ones, big unearned parliamentary majorities for the plurality winner). And, lo and behold, proportional representation is getting some press in the U.K. right now.