It wasn’t quite the orange crush supporters were hoping for in Vernon-Monashee, but it was still a victory party for the NDP.
Local candidate Barry Dorval lost to Liberal Eric Foster, but he was over the moon as the provincial numbers put his party in minority government.
“Let’s celebrate and let’s watch history be made,” said Dorval. “This will revolutionize B.C. politics.”
The biggest change with the results will be electoral reform, said Dorval.
“This province has been mired for so long in a way of doing politics that excludes people. Now, if this holds true, we have the potential to change that,” he said to his local supporters at the Elks Hall Tuesday night.
“That’s what I’m looking forward to. That’s why this my friends is a victory party.”
His grin beamed from ear to ear over the potential, despite his local loss - which was not a surprise to him, and some of his supporters.
Meanwhile NDP scrutineer Bob Barten was a little surprised by the power of Green.
“There was a lot of Green support in this. Westgate actually had a pretty good showing,” said Barten, who counted eight boxes and, “if it wasn’t for Westgate, every one we would’ve taken, except for one.”
The numbers go to show that people want change.
“Foster just got obliterated in the East Hill,” said Barten.
Kevin Adamson had hoped for a bit different results, particularly with his beverage of choice for the night - orange Crush soda.
“I’ve got the proper drink for today,” he said, adding. “It worked in Quebec and Alberta.”
BC Votes 2017
