SPRINGHILL - It wasn't until the tally of one poll station remained before Cumberland South's Murray Scott heaved a sigh of relief and acknowledged he secured his fifth election in 11 years.
Scott, the province's ninister of economic and rural development, will now sit in opposition to Darrell Dexter's NDP majority government after the Progressive Conservatives went down to defeat in all but 10 ridings. Scott rolled to the win with almost 68 per cent of the vote (4,353).
But Scott's career began in opposition and, as the last polling station was reporting its results, said his responsibilities haven't changed since first taking office in 1998.
"As the government representative elected by the people, my job, first and foremost, is to represent the people of Cumberland South," Scott said.
While sitting with the Tory government, Scott's was first speaker of the house before becoming minister of justice, minister of transportation and infrastructure renewal, and finally minister of economic and rural development.
The experience, he said, will allow him to represent the people effectively.
"Being in government, you have to work with your colleagues in the legislature but you also have to also work through bureaucracy. I'll take advantage of my contacts, and experience to do the best job I can."
Scott didn't mince words, however, when it came to the NDP's historic win in Nova Scotia.
"I think the new government will quickly realize the difference between agreeing to everything and making decisions. For the last 11 years I've been in government they've supported everyone from protestors to organizations but most times, if not all times, it comes back to dollars. The new government will quickly realize they don't have the money to do all the things they want."
NDP candidate Don Tabor did not win Cumberland South, but his party formed a majority government, a prospect long considered impossible.
"It's almost surreal," said Tabor, who picked up 1,641 votes (25.6 per cent). "When you look at past elections and then now - not only an NDP government but a majority government. It's something."
Tabor says he's confident NDP leader and premier-elect Darrell Dexter has the integrity and know-how to promote great things for the province. Four years from now, Tabor says he could be back on the campaign trail for a second bid to be part of that government.
"I will never say never. It's too early at this period but it was a wonderful experience meeting the people of the riding and the support they gave me."
Liberal candidate Joey Archibald was a distant third with just 325 votes (5.8 per cent). Danny Melvin of the Green Party received 88 votes (1.37 per cent).
cgooding@springhillrecord.com
