Conservative Member of Parliament John Weston rode to re-election on Monday (May 2) on a wave that swept Stephen Harper's Tories to a majority government after five years of minority status.
Weston, who first won the right to represent West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country in Ottawa in 2008, captured almost the same number of votes as his next two rivals combined. With 265 of 271 polls counted, Weston had 27,927 votes (45.61 per cent). That's about two per cent higher than the percentage he won in the '08 campaign.
New Democrat Terry Platt was in a close battle for second place in the riding with Liberal Dan Veniez. Platt had 14,310 votes (23.37 per cent) compared to Veniez's 13,656 (22.3 per cent). Green Party hopeful Brennan Wauters was in fourth place with 4,468 votes (7.3 per cent).
Weston was full of cheer as he greeted supporters for a post-election party at his campaign headquarters in West Vancouver. As he emerged for his victory speech wearing a Vancouver Canucks jersey, those in the crowd chanted, "Weston, Weston, Weston"
He told the crowd that the Tories' campaign was based on the simple premise of "continuing an economic recovery in a time when people cared about their jobs."
Weston also echoed a refrain that no doubt reverberated across the country as the Stephen Harper-led Conservative Party swept into majority-government status for the first time.
"We really are the finest in so many ways and this isn't something we say with arrogance," Weston said. "We have a national leader that's shown that he's disciplined, he's intelligent and he's a world leader."
Coming into the election, the biggest question was whether the Tories would win another minority government or a majority. Harper's Conservatives emerged with their long-sought-after majority, with the Jack Layton-led New Democrats as the Official Opposition. Layton's NDP rode a late surge in support to a surprising second-place finish, trouncing Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals, who joined the separatist Bloc Quebecois as the big losers in Monday's election.
Platt appeared headed to a surprising second-place finish in a riding many thought was a two-horse race between Weston and Veniez. While she was disappointed not to have finished first, she expressed pleasure at the support shown across the country to her party and leader.
"It's been quite the ride and yes, it would have been nice if I had won. However, I'm really, really thrilled. We have 103 seats, for heaven's sake. I think that's wonderful. As for the Conservatives, well, God help us all.
"I did not expect to get more votes than Dan Veniez. I thought he was a very worthy candidate and very knowledgeable on the issues, but hey, I can't complain about myself. It would have been nice to win, but it's a good result."
With files from Allie Nichol, Coast Reporter.
