ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — For Newfoundland and Labrador’s Progressive Conservatives, Saturday’s provincial election result raises immediate questions about the future of party leader Ches Crosbie, who has now lost two consecutive elections.
Not only did Crosbie’s PCs drop two seats as the Liberals and Andrew Furey moved up to a majority government, but the results revealed Saturday also left him without a seat in the House of Assembly; he lost in the district of Windsor Lake to Liberal John Hogan by over 500 votes.
In a campaign eventually overshadowed by turmoil surrounding the vote itself, the PCs were aggressive in attacking the shortcomings of Elections NL and Furey’s leadership.
"I am democracy’s most vigorous advocate. So today, I state unequivocally that I respect the will of the people" — Ches Crosbie
Crosbie went into this election challenging an untested leader, but in a campaign hampered by an elongated and difficult voting process, he failed to broaden his party’s appeal with voters who managed to cast ballots.
The PCs had 15 seats in the House prior to the election. Based on Saturday’s unofficial results, they’re left with 13. In addition to Crosbie losing his seat, incumbent candidate Jim Lester lost in Mount Pearl North to Liberal Lucy Stoyles. All remaining PC incumbents were returned in their districts.
On a day where the Liberal and NDP leaders met face-to-face with members of the media and delivered speeches in front of supporters and fellow candidates, Crosbie chose to shy away from live cameras. He considered the unofficial results privately with family and took no questions about his political future or the possibility of challenging the end result on grounds the election process circumvented the Elections Act.
Pre-recorded speech
In a pre-recorded speech shared 30 minutes after the unofficial results were released, Crosbie confirmed his political future will be discussed.
“In light of the outcome of the election, I will be speaking with my family, my caucus, and the executive of our party, and I will take a few days to reflect on what has happened and determine where we go from here,” he said.
As for the result itself, Crosbie said the right of the public to choose its government is absolute.
“That is what democracy means, and I am democracy’s most vigorous advocate,” he said. “So today, I state unequivocally that I respect the will of the people.
“But let’s not forget, in an election the people not only choose their government; they also choose an official opposition to hold the government’s feet to the fire and advocate for people. And it has never been more important than right now to accept this role that the people in their great wisdom have placed on this party’s shoulders.”
Giving thanks
Crosbie thanked his family and commended all candidates and volunteers who contributed to the election campaign, giving extra kudos to those from his own party. He also addressed people in his riding of Windsor Lake.
“Let me thank the voters of Windsor Lake. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in the House of Assembly since 2018. You will always have a special place in my heart.”
Crosbie avoided a repeat performance of his post-election speech in 2019. That night, he failed to thank his candidates and party supporters and said he would not concede victory to then-premier Dwight Ball, despite the fact the Liberal party had clearly won enough seats to form a minority government based on unofficial results. He backtracked from that fiery speech a few days later.
The PC leader concluded his speech Saturday by saying people of this province must renew their resolve to help make Newfoundland and Labrador “everything we are so richly capable of becoming.”
