The New Democratic Party fought back from near extinction Tuesday to re-establish itself as a major political force in British Columbia politics.

The New Democrats, under rookie leader Carol James, won 33 of 79 ridings, far higher than many had predicted. The Liberals took 46 seats. The Green Party was shut out. Recounts are possible in a few ridings.

Even if the numbers do change slightly, the minimum result will be a fighting and vigorous opposition to counter the destructive right-wing government of Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell over the next four years. The Liberals polled 46 per cent of the vote and the NDP more than 41 per cent.

For Campbell, who won all but two of the province’s legislature seats when he came to power in 2000, it was a sobering setback. He attained the dubious distinction of losing the most seats ever in a B.C. election — 31 — while still managing to cling to power. Eight Liberal cabinet ministers were also defeated.

The minimum number of seats required for a majority in B.C. is 40 seats.

A voice once again for working people

The resurgence of the New Democrats means that working people will again have a party with major influence in Victoria to defend them against the corporate excesses and betrayed promises that were the hallmarks of Campbell’s first term in office.

James made “seven practical, common sense commitments” to voters during her campaign, declaring that the time had come to end the “one-sided government that benefits only a few.” These were the pledges she made:

  • Open 1,000 long-term care beds this year and 5,000 more over four years
  • Reduce wait lists and clean up dirty, over-crowded hospitals
  • Freeze post-secondary tuition fees, double apprenticeships and beginto reduce K-12 class size
  • Stop privatization to ensure low Hydro and ICBC rates and scrap the $6 training wage
  • Balance the budget and ensure people in all regions share the benetsof a strong, competitive economy
  • Restore support for the most vulnerable — seniors and children,the disabled and the poor
  • Re-establish the Ministry of the Environment and enforce clean airand water standards

James also spoke out in favour of electoral reform. “Let’s rebuild trust in politics and political parties,” she said. “We can do that banning corporate and union donations and leveling the playing field for everyone.”