Alison Coffin 'tingly' as NDP campaign enters home stretch, with everything on the line

NDP Leader Alison Coffin attempted to put a positive spin on her party's campaign Wednesday, saying New Democrats are a viable option for voters and a wave of volunteers have rallied to the cause.

That's despite the fact the party has fielded just 14 candidates in a province with 40 electoral districts, endured yet another round of internal bickering following the unexpected departure of former leader Gerry Rogers just weeks ago, is trailing badly in public opinion polls, and faces the very real possibility of being ousted completely from the House of Assembly.

But when asked how she feels as voters prepare to head to the polls on Thursday, Coffin replied in her trademark upbeat tone, "It's kind of tingly."

The New Democrats entered the campaign in a less-than-ideal situation, with Coffin freshly installed as party leader, and facing a tough fight to win a seat in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi against Liberal George Murphy and Progressive Conservative David Porter.

Both NDP incumbents, Lorraine Michael and Rogers, are not seeking re-election, and the scars are still fresh from a failed attempt by St. John's Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary to seek the NDP nomination in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi. As a result, O'Leary has been completely absent during the campaign in any capacity.

But Coffin made no mention of these struggles Wednesday, and emphasized what she thinks the party offers voters.

"We are showing the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that New Democrats have the right ideas to make our province prosper."

The party has put forward a platform focused heavily on health care, the environment, affordable living and the provision of government services to people "when and where they are needed."

• NDP leader tiptoes away from 'spoil their ballots' advice, but encourages various protests

But Coffin also raised eyebrows early in the campaign when she suggested voters should spoil their ballots if they live in a district without an NDP candidate.

She has since softened her position, saying citizens should "vote with their hearts."

What would be a success on election day look like for the New Democrats? 

Coffin would not give a seat count, but said, "I think if we get as many as we can elected that would make it a success for me."

Staying on no matter what happens

And if the New Democrats are wiped out?

Coffin said she plans to stay on as party leader, no matter what happens, and wants to rebuild the party.

"As soon as this election is over I'm going to start putting district associations together across this province. We are going to make New Democratic voices heard throughout the province," she said.

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