“Today, we build the foundation . . . tomorrow, we build the house.’’
That was Island NDP Leader Mike Redmond’s opening remark when he took the podium Monday night at a Charlottetown hotel where supporters had gathered.
The party failed to win a seat but they came close in one district and more than tripled its support across the Island.
The disappointment was evident on his face as he gazed out to party faithful, many with tears in their eyes.
Redmond finished third in District 3, Montague-Kilmuir, with 585 votes, or 23.1 per cent of the vote. Liberal incumbent Allen Roach held on to the seat with 1,060 votes, or 41.8 per cent of the vote.
The NDP finished with 8,947 votes and 11.1 per cent of the popular vote. That compares with 2,355 votes and 3.2 per cent of the vote in 2011.
Gord McNeilly came oh, so close in District 14, Charlottetown-Lewis Point, for the NDP, falling to Liberal incumbent Kathleen Casey by 109 votes. He had been leading for most of the night, leading many supporters to believe it was going to be a historic night.
“We’re building something here,’’ said a disappointed McNeilly. “This is a building block. Something is developing here. We did some amazing things out there and I am very proud to be associated with that.’’
Casey said there were some anxious moments before the last polls were announced.
“It would have been a different story had the advance poll been announced first, but it was exciting,” Casey said. “Hats off to all. I had a great team and we mobilized that advance poll and we’re very, very pleased.”
She said it was a privilege to be returned to the legislature for a third term.
Redmond said the party had some exceptional candidates this time.
“I am very, very, very proud of the group and how hard they worked. They hit the doors day in, day out, night in, night out and our volunteer base grew exponentially. There has never been a better time to be a New Democrat.’’
Redmond also wanted to congratulate Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker on winning his seat.
“I’m very proud of Peter Bevan-Baker. We share a lot in common,’’ Redmond said. “We had great conversations.’’
NDP candidate Peter Meggs, who finished third in District 15, West Royalty-Springvale, says the growth in party support across the province bodes well for the future.
“The party is really starting to get going,’’ Meggs said. “We’ve had more credibility under Mike (Redmond) than we’ve had for a long, long time. I really believe this is the beginning of something new.’’
“Today, we build the foundation . . . tomorrow, we build the house.’’
That was Island NDP Leader Mike Redmond’s opening remark when he took the podium Monday night at a Charlottetown hotel where supporters had gathered.
The party failed to win a seat but they came close in one district and more than tripled its support across the Island.
The disappointment was evident on his face as he gazed out to party faithful, many with tears in their eyes.
Redmond finished third in District 3, Montague-Kilmuir, with 585 votes, or 23.1 per cent of the vote. Liberal incumbent Allen Roach held on to the seat with 1,060 votes, or 41.8 per cent of the vote.
The NDP finished with 8,947 votes and 11.1 per cent of the popular vote. That compares with 2,355 votes and 3.2 per cent of the vote in 2011.
Gord McNeilly came oh, so close in District 14, Charlottetown-Lewis Point, for the NDP, falling to Liberal incumbent Kathleen Casey by 109 votes. He had been leading for most of the night, leading many supporters to believe it was going to be a historic night.
“We’re building something here,’’ said a disappointed McNeilly. “This is a building block. Something is developing here. We did some amazing things out there and I am very proud to be associated with that.’’
Casey said there were some anxious moments before the last polls were announced.
“It would have been a different story had the advance poll been announced first, but it was exciting,” Casey said. “Hats off to all. I had a great team and we mobilized that advance poll and we’re very, very pleased.”
She said it was a privilege to be returned to the legislature for a third term.
Redmond said the party had some exceptional candidates this time.
“I am very, very, very proud of the group and how hard they worked. They hit the doors day in, day out, night in, night out and our volunteer base grew exponentially. There has never been a better time to be a New Democrat.’’
Redmond also wanted to congratulate Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker on winning his seat.
“I’m very proud of Peter Bevan-Baker. We share a lot in common,’’ Redmond said. “We had great conversations.’’
NDP candidate Peter Meggs, who finished third in District 15, West Royalty-Springvale, says the growth in party support across the province bodes well for the future.
“The party is really starting to get going,’’ Meggs said. “We’ve had more credibility under Mike (Redmond) than we’ve had for a long, long time. I really believe this is the beginning of something new.’’
