Federal NDP Rejoices While Harper’s Caucus Looks Like A ‘Morgue’!
NDP’s victory is so huge given that the Rachel Notley-led party beat the Progressive Conservatives who’ve led in the province since 1971.
By R. Paul Dhillon
With News Files
CALGARY – As NDP swept into power in Alberta in a shocking province-wide sweep, many observers, including LINK editor R. Paul Dhillon, couldn’t help wonder that “former Alberta premier Ralph Klein must be rolling in his grave”
“Vow,” was the only way to describe the overwhelming NDP victory the province made such a 180 degree turn.
But it shows that political landscape in Canada is under going a huge change and people as rightwing (presumed) as those in our neighboring province have decided to give a left leaning party a chance to govern.
A lot of credit goes to NDP leader Rachel Notley who fought a great fight and came on top unlike former BC NDP leader Adrian Dix who blew the last election.
NDP’s victory is so huge given that the Notley-led party beat the Progressive Conservatives who’ve led in the province since 1971.
Could this be bad news for Stephen Harper Conservatives who have also dominated Alberta? This is great news for federal NDP and even Justin Trudeau Liberals as they can now look to steal seats from the Harper Conservatives in the October federal election.
The ballots cast in Alberta on Tuesday didn’t have any federal names on them, but Parliament Hill was a study in contrasts the morning after, as New Democrats cheered, Conservatives lamented and Liberals refocused on the ever-changing road toward this fall’s election, reported CBC News.
“There’s only good news in this,” a jubilant Tom Mulcair told his federal NDP caucus, trying to feed off the momentum for his own future campaign, with cameras capturing cheers and chanting.
Mulcair said his party had a “spring in our step” and was extremely proud of Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley’s campaign.
Then former bandmates-turned-MPs Andrew Cash and Charlie Angus, backed up by deputy leader Megan Leslie, took the stage with their guitars. Their rendition of Ian Tyson’s Four Strong Winds featured a small lyric change: “Think I’ll go out to Alberta / Weather’s good there in the spring.”
“There are a couple of really solid NDP strongholds in Canada: they’re Alberta and Quebec,” Mulcair told reporters, expanding upon the 2011 election’s “orange wave” in a way that few would have believed until now.
“If you want change, it is through the NDP,” he said. “Future generations will understand that with our message of sustainable development and competent administration, we’re able to get it done.”
The mood across the hall in the Conservative caucus room — absent Stephen Harper, who was still travelling home from VE Day celebrations — featured many shades of blue.
“I had some questions if the sun was going to rise this morning,” said Manitoba MP Steven Fletcher. “And when it did, there was an orange tinge to it. Very disconcerting.”
The normally message-managed Tory caucus emerged for the media’s post-mortems Wednesday working through various stages of fear, denial, blame and regret, reported CBC News.
“It was more like a morgue. Someone said it was like — it’s Albertastan now,” said Justice Minister Peter MacKay.
“Having lived through the experience federally when Conservatives [were] divided, it is a recipe for losing, period,” MacKay said.
