An old-timer once told me: Governments don’t lose elections when times are good.
Times must be OK in Saskatchewan for the Saskatchewan Party to have won its fifth term in office. The party campaign was based on the government’s (perceived) record.
The campaign was a one-man affair with Premier Scott Moe almost the only spokesperson for the party.
Moe and company lost an amazing 17 seats to the NDP, still keeping a safe majority margin — 34 to 27 — in the legislature.
The NDP campaign, relentlessly pounding away at shortfalls in health care and education, brought the party closer to victory than many observers had believed.
The NDP campaign results were impressive given that earlier this year few candidates had been nominated, leaving the organization to the last minute in the election.
The NDP and supporters likely think: next time.
Don’t be so sure. Given the results of this election a sixth Sask. Party term is probable, unless the government makes some spectacular goofs in the next four years.
While the NDP is four seats from a majority, the depth of NDP wins leaves a lot to be desired,
The party is not competitive enough outside Regina and Saskatoon. In the seats outside the two big cities, the NDP was only close in three ridings won by the Sask. Party.
The Sask. Party won Moose Jaw Wakamow by 922 votes and one Prince Albert seat by by 439 votes, losing one Prince Albert seat by 139 ballots.
The NDP was way behind in other rural seats, often by three to one.
Even in the near sweep of Regina and Saskatoon, the NDP won three seats by 850 votes or less.
The NDP can be proud of its showing, but has a long road to hoe for victory.
Moe (brought up the fact that) the NDP (had made) closures of hospitals in the 1990s, almost 30 years ago. It seemed a strange tactic to go back so far.
Rural residents don’t live the fast paced life of city dwellers, allowing memories to go past last week’s news cycle.
Rural residents worry about keeping the health care services they have, given the frequent temporary closures of service. Moe’s message resonated with them, raising the spectre of another round of hospital closures.
Attracting farm votes to a leftist party is extremely difficult when the average 1,800 acres farm land is valued north of $4 million and annual family income is near $300,000.
Farming has become big business with plenty of money. Once people accumulate assets and money they seem to have less empathy for those less fortunate, and are less willing to pay taxes for government services.
The smaller farmers who used to form the base for the NDP in the north and northeast have left with farm consolidation.
NDP farm support in the northeast around Yorkton was so strong opponents once called the region Red Square
The saddest part about the Saskatchewan election is the low voter turnout of 53.5 per cent.
When just over half of voters come out, something is wrong.
The Sask Party won 52.5 per cent of the turnout but that only represents 29 per cent of eligible voters.
Voter apathy must be combated with measures from more civic emphasis in schools, Sask. Elections campaigns and possibly a tax on non-voters.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
