Victory!

I feel strangely victorious this morning. I make no secret of my politics. I lean left. Far left. If I was American, I'd clearly be a Democrat. But instead I live in Alberta, a prairie conservative stronghold. Lead by long time party leader Ralph Klein, the Progressive Conservatives (PC) held 74 seats out of 83 going into yesterday's election. The Liberals (slightly left) held 7 and the New Democrats (NDP - really left) held 2 (based on last election numbers and not including some party switching).

There was no hope in hell that one of the other parties would win. This election campaign was practically non-existent. I felt like most of the PC candidates didn't even care and that Ralph Klein could have robbed 6 banks naked and still not offended the majority of voters. One political pundit dubbed this campaign "Kleinfeld" - a campaign about nothing. The Liberals and the NDP tried to bring up issues but it's extremely difficult when the ruling party doesn't bother to respond. Klein attended only one leadership debate and didn't even bother going to a candidate forum in his own riding!

I do understand the voter apathy that was felt during the campaign. This was our third election this year, first the federal campaign with its associated dirt and then the province wide civic election which, oddly, was by far the most exciting this year. Add in the American election as we got blasted with that coverage as well and it's no wonder most voters would rather sleep. Voter turnout was around 45%, the lowest in provincial history.

As for why I feel victorious, maybe the Conservatives will notice they can't ignore us anymore. Sure, rural Alberta stayed Conservative (with one seat going to the new right wing party called Alberta Alliance), but Edmonton clearly reverted to the old days of "Redmonton". Even Calgary, Ralph Klein's playground, spoke up. The Liberals went from 7 seats to 17! The NDP doubled their seats to 4, giving them official party status in the legislature. The Conservatives went from 74 seats, once referred to as "Ralph's World", to 61, the first time they had lost seats since Klein become their party leader in 1992. Their share of popular vote slipped from 62% to 47%.

I realize they are still in control and that this is still clearly a conservative province, but maybe, just maybe they will hear the people who spoke up. 42% of the province voted Liberal, NDP or Green.

And it's a whole new ball game anyway now. Ralph Klein has declared this his last term. Who will rise to the top? And how divisive will the leadership race be?