NOVA SCOTIA LIBERALS TRIUMPH
DEXTER LOSES SEAT
HALIFAX • Voters in Nova Scotia dumped the NdP on Tuesday after giving darrell dexter a historic election victory four years ago, turning this time to Liberal Stephen McNeil, who swept to power on promises to bring soaring electricity rates under control while putting an end to corporate handouts.
It’s been 14 years since the Liberals were in government and Mr. McNeil returns the party to its glory years of the 1990s with a majority, winning 33 seats in the 51-seat legislature.
“I am so humbled and honoured that Nova Scotians have put their trust in me and our Liberal team,” Mr. McNeil said.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose that I will make certain that our plan is delivered and that our commitments are kept.”
Mr. dexter lost his seat in cole Harbour-Portland Valley by 31 votes after a tight battle in the Halifax-area riding, an area he represented in the legislature for 15 years. Several of his top cabinet ministers also went down in defeat as the NdP plummeted to third place with seven seats.
“Anyone who gets into politics has to know that it’s about losses as well as wins,” said Mr. dexter, 56.
“Nova Scotians made a historic choice four years ago when they elected the NdP. I was humbled by the challenges and the opportunities that we faced. We New democrats had been conscientious critics, but Nova Scotians had never before put us to the test. Nova Scotians, I know that we didn’t meet every expectation.”
Mr. dexter said he would meet with the party executive to discuss his future.
Mr. McNeil, 48, overcame a barrage of attacks ads from the NdP who questioned whether he had what it takes to be premier with the tagline: “Stephen McNeil, Not Worth the risk.”
The former owner of an appliance repair business, who was easily re-elected in his riding of Annapolis, led the Liberals to victory after falling well short in 2009, when the party won 11 seats as the NdP swept the province.
Progressive conservative leader Jamie baillie becomes leader of the Opposition with 11 elected members.
Mr. McNeil ran a safe campaign, offering no great spending initiatives in a platform that promised to chop the number of health districts, cap classroom sizes and reduce spending, except for health and education, by 1% annually.