The first few weeks of the B.C. provincial election campaign could probably be described in one word - boring. Sure, the candidates were out in force trying to spread their messages, but there didn't seem to be much passion, much heat on the campaign trail.
Well, that all seemed to change on Monday night with the televised leaders' debate. All four party leaders, Liberal Premier Christy Clark, NDP Adrian Dix, Conservative John Cummins and Green Jane Sterk, went toe to toe on a variety of issues from leadership to budgets, from pipelines to forestry issues. It was a spirited and at many times a heated debate, especially between Clark and Dix who shared the majority of the spotlight.
It would have been nice to see more out of Sterk and Cummins, and despite their best efforts, that just didn't materialize. And that's understandable, as either the Liberals or the NDP will win the right to form government, with the Conservatives and Greens just hoping their party can make a dent and possibly send some MLAs to Victoria.
In the minutes following the debate, the usual press releases were sent out by each party's faithfuls proclaiming a debate victory - not unexpected, but in a way kind of laughable. We know that each party is trying to sway favourites with the electorate and use the media to their advantage, but how can anyone claim victory a mere five minutes after the cameras have gone to black? The Conservatives were the first ones into our email in-box. Nice try, Mr. Cummins, but we don't think you have a chance come May 14. And although we were impressed with Ms. Sterk, we can't really see the Greens breaking through on election night.
No, this is between the Liberals and the NDP, and with less than two weeks to go before the big night, it would appear, at least to some polsters, that the gap between the two front-runners is starting to shrink.
A Forum Research survey, conducted following Monday's debate, released Thursday morning by News 1130 in Vancouver, showed the NDP still out in front with 39 per cent, but the Liberals charging from behind at 35 per cent. Compare that to the same survey group who conducted a poll in August 2012 that had the NDP at 45 per cent and the Liberals at 23 per cent. The Conservatives were at 20 per cent in August, but have now slipped 11 percentage points to nine per cent and fourth place with the Greens on a slight upswing at 12 per cent.
So based on these polling numbers, it would appear we have a race entering the final weeks of the campaign, which is a good thing. It will make things interesting and ensure that on May 14 every vote will count.
