 |
According to an Ipsos-Reid poll released today, “44% of decided British Columbians say they would support the New Democratic Party if an election were held tomorrow, while only 37% would support the B.C. Liberals.” Support for the Green Party is also waning, having dropped 9 points to 11%, from a May 2002 high of 20%.
The results are the continuation of a downward trend for the provincial Liberals, who have been slipping in the polls since September 2003 when they had 45 per cent support and the NDP was at 31 per cent, said Kyle Braid, an Ipsos-Reid spokesman.
Norman Ruff, a University of Victoria political scientist, told Canadian Press, “In my book, 45 per cent is the magic number. Forty-five per cent means a majority government.” Traditionally in B.C., the political party that receives 45 per cent of the vote wins 50 per cent of the available seats, he said.
The numbers reflect voter anger with the Campbell government’s attack on working British Columbians, and also indicates a desire by voters to support a positive alternative, said Carole James, leader of the NDP.
Want your say? Take a minute to ‘vote’ in the informal poll below …
