By Vanessa Ybarra

NDP candidates reflect on tough loss to Liberal party

May 10, 2017 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — It’s tear-down mode for South-Thompson Candidate Nancy Bepple and volunteers, spending Wednesday morning clearing out the parties downtown campaign office.

“In terms of the provincial results, it’s bitter sweet because we’ve gained six seats or that’s what it looks like, but the NDP hasn’t formed a government so we’ll have to wait and see what happens,” said Nancy Bepple.

While the NDP made provincial gains, they failed again to unseat the Liberals in Kamloops.

“Almost the entire Interior went to the Liberals so obviously their message resonated with people, “added Bepple.

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According to retired Political Studies Instructor Ray Pillar, jobs remain a top priority in the Interior.

“If you can’t put food on the table, the rest of the issues don’t make much of a difference,” said Pillar. “Going back to Diefenbaker times, the Interior has always been pretty conservative. When the Interior turns NDP,  it’s because they’re really thoroughly fed up with the government that’s in place. I think the fact we came back with two Liberals this time shows we weren’t fed up enough.”

While Kamloops riding results may not have been what the NDP hoped for, North-Thompson Candidate Barb Nederpel says positive change is still taking place.

“I know there was a bunch of new votes that were pulled for the Greens,” said Nederpel. “We also pulled a bunch of new voters into the fold, especially students that were really excited about eliminating interest on students loans and controlling tuition costs and making life more affordable, so we brought in a lot of new voters.”

The NDP’s focus is now re-examining the campaign in the hopes to sway more Liberal voters in the next provincial election.

“We’re going to sit down and do a review and see what we did,” added Nederpel. “I don’t feel that we did anything wrong. We worked hard, we were out there knowing on doors 12 hours a day, building relationships with people in this community.”

“It may take more to sway people in the future but I believe in the NDP platform,” said Bepple. “I think, going forward, we are going to need those policies.” 

RIDING RESULTS: Kamloops-South Thompson

RIDING RESULTS: Kamloops-North Thompson