British Columbia Federation of Labour

News outlets have reported on a recent poll by Angus Reid showing that with 12 days until election day, the BCNDP now trail the BC Liberals 42% to 39%. Although this latest poll still puts the NDP behind the Liberals, this election may be closer than many observers think:

• The federal Conservative party has won the last two federal elections with a minority of the vote (38% in 2008, and 36% in 2006)

• In 2000, George W. Bush won the US election with only 47.9% of the vote to Al Gore’s 48.4%

• In 2005, the BCNDP took only 41.5% of the popular vote, yet fewer than 2,600 votes across seven constituencies separated the NDP from forming government