[ISL] The Guardian on the sliding popularity of the PEI Liberals
The Guardian of Charlottetown's editorial looking at the recent slide in Liberal numbers, following the government's decision to not be bound by the results of the referendum on proportional representation, is accurate.
The numbers must be alarming for the government. Support for the Liberal Party plummeted from 64 per cent to 46 per cent in the past four months. It’s the most precipitous drop in recent memory.
The Progressive Conservatives have an interim leader but their support increased six points. The Green Party has one MLA and its support leapt 13 points. The NDP remains hamstrung without its leader in the legislature but managed to maintain its numbers.
[. . .]
Consider the plebiscite on democratic renewal which many Islanders hoped would reform our antiquated electoral process. The plebiscite concluded Monday, Nov. 7. The premier immediately discounted the result endorsing proportional representation because the turnout was low. As the storm of protest gained momentum, Premier MacLauchlan promised a “binding referendum” to be held in conjunction with the next provincial election. It would offer the electorate a choice between the plebiscite winner (Mixed Member Proportional Representation) and an as-yet-to-be-determined option.
Islanders were outraged. The flood of letters and opinion articles opposing the decision was unprecedented. It was obvious that many Islanders wanted the government to honour the plebiscite result.
A democratic vote was being ignored.
Now, note the dates of the CRA polling period which began Nov. 7 - when the plebiscite concluded - and wrapped up Nov. 29 as the government was fumbling the issue in the legislature. The full fury of Islanders was being felt as polling took place.
The numbers must be alarming for the government. Support for the Liberal Party plummeted from 64 per cent to 46 per cent in the past four months. It’s the most precipitous drop in recent memory.
The Progressive Conservatives have an interim leader but their support increased six points. The Green Party has one MLA and its support leapt 13 points. The NDP remains hamstrung without its leader in the legislature but managed to maintain its numbers.
[. . .]
Consider the plebiscite on democratic renewal which many Islanders hoped would reform our antiquated electoral process. The plebiscite concluded Monday, Nov. 7. The premier immediately discounted the result endorsing proportional representation because the turnout was low. As the storm of protest gained momentum, Premier MacLauchlan promised a “binding referendum” to be held in conjunction with the next provincial election. It would offer the electorate a choice between the plebiscite winner (Mixed Member Proportional Representation) and an as-yet-to-be-determined option.
Islanders were outraged. The flood of letters and opinion articles opposing the decision was unprecedented. It was obvious that many Islanders wanted the government to honour the plebiscite result.
A democratic vote was being ignored.
Now, note the dates of the CRA polling period which began Nov. 7 - when the plebiscite concluded - and wrapped up Nov. 29 as the government was fumbling the issue in the legislature. The full fury of Islanders was being felt as polling took place.