McMahon feels voters got it wrong

By Steph Crosier

NDP candidate Michael McMahon is “satisfied” with his election results but feels residents of Prince-Edward Hastings got it wrong.

BELLEVILLE,ON (02/05/11) Michael McMahon discusses his second place finish with supporters at the NDP results party at the Winchester Pub. Photo by Steph Crosier.

“It has been a wild month,” said McMahon, “This time, Jack Layton and the NDP have really connected with Canadians. The message has really caught on. It’s such a contrast from the other parties. But things can be better.”

The election finished with Conservative leader Stephen Harper re-elected as Prime Minister, this time with a majority of 167 seats. NDP leader Jack Layton will now lead his party as the Official Opposition The NDP captured 102 seats for the followed by the Liberals in third with 34 seats, the Bloc Quebecois with four seats, and Elizabeth May’s Green party with one seat.

Locally Conservative Daryl Kramp received 29,018 votes followed by McMahon with 12,891, Liberal Peter Tinsley with 10,237, and the Green’s Patrick Larkin with 1,897 votes.

Despite his second place finish in the riding, McMahon is still very happy with where his party stands. He is proud of what they have accomplished and is happy to have been a part of it.

“I’m proud of Jack (Layton), and I’m proud of our party and our programs… its so exciting to be on this team,” said McMahon in an interview. “I would hate to be a conservative and have to defend Stephen Harper, its not defaceable, you can’t defend it. Any Conservative with any sort, we can leave that blank, would quit the party and run as an independent.”

McMahon said he is unhappy with the way Harper personally attacked Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, who resigned Tuesday morning.

“NDP doesn’t do that, let’s instead argue policy. Let’s attack poverty and the fact that we don’t have enough doctors,” said McMahon.

NDP supporter, Deirdre McDade, who has known McMahon since he begun running for the NDP in the 2006 election, was at the function with mixed reactions to the results.

“I am happy the NDP are doing so well. But I’m not happy that the Conservatives have the majority,” said McDade.

Other NDP supporters at the event include John Braden and Linda Stewart. Both said they were saddened by the Conservative majority but impressed at how well their party did.

“I am delighted that the NDP are doing so well,” said Stewart. “But I am fearful that the Conservatives have the majority.”

Both of them said the next election should be proportional representation. That means the percentage of votes received is the percentage of seats given in the House of Commons.

“It would encourage more voting,” said Braden. “It would be a major improvement over what we have right now.”

When McMahon was asked if he would run again he said he would have to ask his wife.

“She’s put up with me for three campaigns and it’s very hard,” said McMahon. “Nothing else gets done, and everything is neglected.”

If it was up to him, he says he would think about it, but probably run again.

“Do you remember better days or worse days? Times used to be better.”