Overwhelming acceptance is what the Saskatchewan Party and their leader Brad Wall received Monday night.聽
Within 15 minutes of the provincial general election polls closing, it was a generally accepted fact that Wall and his team were going to form another majority government. The only question that remained was by just how much?聽
That answer was delivered within a couple of hours and it didn鈥檛 bode well at all for Cam Broten and his Opposition New Democratic Party who limped across the finish line, a well beaten second-place team while the also-ran parties, Liberal, Greens and PCs struggled to get out of the starting blocks.
The entire scene was nearly anticlimactic as the Sask. Party brand made its presence felt right across the province. By 10 p.m., Wall and his cadre, a mixture of some well-tested veteran MLAs and cabinet ministers, plus a roster of rookies, including Estevan鈥檚 Lori Carr, had their sights on claiming 50 or more of the 61 seats up for grabs in the Legislative Assembly.聽
The voters were undeterred by looming shadows of doubt surrounding the Sask. Party鈥檚 recent handling of the Global Transportation Hub, the Regina bypass controversies with their suspect land deals, the mishandling of the Lean efficiency files and, a relatively new dilemma for Wall and company, a rapidly growing deficit in a sinking economy.聽
The voters seemed to be collectively saying the Sask. Party may not be as spotless as it was heading into the 2011 campaign, but it was definitely their preferred choice, considering the alternative, which was the NDP.聽
Brad Wall has retained his 鈥渁w shucks鈥� attitude, which plays well among the electorate, and since Saskatchewan elections ride on the coat tails of the leaders, rather than the individual candidates (with a few exceptions), this was a foregone conclusion election. Wall has been able to retain this general feeling of genuine goodwill in practically all areas of the province. And, that鈥檚 not easy to do and especially difficult to pull it off for as long as he has. It takes talent, and on Monday night, Wall and the Sask. Party rode that talent and a not-too-shabby record of governance for all it was worth.聽
The only question political junkies in Saskatchewan have as of Tuesday morning centred on Cam Broten and his future as leader of the NDP. In fact, his drive to reclaim his Saskatoon seat was unsuccessful. With the NDP probably having to go into another morale-crushing leadership review and selection process, it will assure the Sask. Party of some easy times ahead as they鈥檒l get their way in the legislature on any motion they wish to present. The only thing standing in their way heading into an April budget will be public pressure for a little more transparency and the cratering economy which isn鈥檛 their fault, but is something they鈥檒l have to address by coming up with some innovative plans to restart it, especially in southern Saskatchewan.聽
The voice of Official Opposition, on the other hand, will be muted.聽
The Sask. Party stands now where Alberta鈥檚 Conservatives used to stand for decades, and by the looks of things on Monday night, they might be ruling our political roost for quite some time, unless, of course, Brad Wall decides to call it a day on the provincial political scene before 2020 with no obvious successor in sight.聽
But that鈥檚 the story for another day. Right now, it鈥檚 time for the Sask. Party to bask in the spotlight of success, they鈥檝e earned it fairly and unequivocally.
