NDP poised to become Official Opposition as Liberal vote collapses
New Democrats in Nova Scotia were on track to become the next Official Opposition, as the Liberal vote took a nosedive in the provincial election on Tuesday. The Progressive Conservatives secured another majority government, while the NDP looked to maintain its existing seats and possibly gain a few more in the Halifax region.
With the Liberals facing one of their worst showings in history, NDP Leader Claudia Chender, re-elected in Dartmouth South, is poised to become the first elected woman leader of the Official Opposition in Nova Scotia. The Liberals, who entered the election with 14 seats after two members crossed the floor to the PCs, were only leading or elected in two ridings by 10:10 p.m. AT, marking a significant decline from their previous position.
The NDP, with six seats going into the election, had candidates elected in five and leading in six more by 10 p.m. Their popular vote share remained similar to that in 2021. PC Leader Tim Houston capitalized on tying the provincial Liberal Party to the federal Liberals, accusing Liberal Leader Zach Churchill of being too closely aligned with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This strategy may have resonated in southwest Nova Scotia, where frustration over the federal government’s response to illegal lobster fishing was palpable.
Overall, the election results signal a significant shift in the political landscape of Nova Scotia, with the NDP poised to take on the role of Official Opposition and the Progressive Conservatives solidifying their majority government. As the province looks towards the future, the dynamics of the political parties and their leadership will undoubtedly shape the direction of Nova Scotia in the coming years.
