Michael taking nothing for granted in pending byelection

The New Democratic Party has started the fight to retain a downtown St. John's district that has been the party's most loyal base for two decades.

Lorraine Michael, elected this summer as party leader, will represent the party the next time a vote is held in Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi, but admits she is far from a shoo-in to enter the legislature.

Former leader Jack Harris still represents the district, but has not yet indicated when he will resign. Under rules passed by the legislature, the next provincial election will be held on Oct. 9, 2007. A byelectionis expected before that date.

This weekend, Harris accompanied Michael as they canvassed door-to-door in the district. Officials were keen to point out they were not campaigning, but working on raising Michael's profile.

"I can follow the direction Jack has given… I want to show voters in Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi that I can repeat that," said Michael.

"So our message to the voters once the time comes for an election will be, 'Look at how important it was to have these seats in the house, the NDP seats,' " Michael said.

The party holds two of the 48 seats in the provincial legislature.

Obstacles to be overcome

Its electoral future, however, is not secure.

The party's second seat, Labrador West,is held by Randy Collins, whois one of four politicians under investigation in the legislative spending scandal that has rocked political circles all summer.

Moreover, even the NDP's fortunes in its St. John's base are not guaranteed.

Formerly known as St. John's East,Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi— which had voted Tory since Confederation— picked New Democrat Gene Longin a byelection upset in 1986.

Progressive Conservative Shannie Duff won the seat in 1989, but resigned the following year to run for the St. John's mayoralty.

Harris, a former MP, has represented the district since 1990.

Actor and writer Rick Boland, a member of the party's executive, said no one will take anything for granted when a byelection is called.

"It's very important. Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi has been very close, very many times, but we've managed to maintain it," Boland said.

"I think if we lose Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi, we're in a position where we may not have a member in the house."

Focus group sparks outreach program

Constituent Bob Melee is leaning toward voting NDP, but has not yet made up his mind.

"Jack Harris is good and Lorraine— I'm not sure yet. So I'm hoping to get to know her probably down the road."

A recent focus group done for the party showed that Michael needs to work on raising her profile in the district.

'Despite the popularity of Mr. Williams as premier, does he need another person in the backbenches there, or do we need more principled opposition in the house of assembly?' —Jack Harris

Harris, who led the party through the last four general elections, said while Premier Danny Williams and the PCs have been dominating public opinion polls, the NDP still has much to offer constituents.

"The question that voters will be asking themselves is, despite the popularity of Mr. Williams as premier, does he need another person in the backbenches there or do we need more principled opposition in the house of assembly?" Harris said.

Harris said the legislature needs critics to probe the government over "what's becoming a prosperous province without prosperous people, and I think Lorraine can do that."

Harris, who announced his intention to retire last fall, said he will give up his seat when he has completed some work, including getting the provincial government to follow through on a recommendation to rebuild a school at Virginia Park, an economically depressed neighbourhood in the east end.