2003 Nova Scotia election
The 2003 Nova Scotia election was held on August 5, 2003. It saw the ruling Conservatives reduced to a minority government.The elction was called by John Hamm's Conservatives who decided to hold a rare summer election in hopes of strengthening their hold on the legislature. Running against them were Darrell Dexter's NDP and Danny Graham's Liberal's.
Hamm's party ran on a policy of fiscal management, tax cuts, and on there record of fufilling most of their promises. While the NDP agreed in principle to tax cuts their main cause was the creation of a public auto insurance company. The Liberal's were the only party to criticize the tax cuts.
For the most part the campaign was quiet and uneventful. Hamm received criticism for a great number of spending programs, including a $150 tax rebate check right before the election. The party was also criticized for holding an election in the summer when most people have other concerns. The NDP's Dexter won popularity for a friendly non-confrontational style, different from the parties usually strident socialism. Danny Graham a young leader was popular but failed to make much of a mark.
The election was considered a mild failure for the Liberals and Conservatives, and something of a success for the NDP.
| % of Vote | # of Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Conservatives | 36.3% | 25 |
| NDP | 31% | 15 |
| Liberals | 31.6% | 12 |
| Other | 1.6% | 0 |
