By Jennifer Vardy Little
The Kings County Advertiser
Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie believes the Tories have what it takes to make in-roads in Kings County.
Currently, Kings South is the only local riding that has a candidate nominated – Shane Buchan received the nod on Jan. 15 – but the ridings of Kings North and Kings West are expected to hold nomination sessions soon.
When the writ is dropped, says Baillie, the Tories will be ready.
“We’re going to get on the doorsteps here in Kings County with our policies, and we’ll have winning candidates as a result,” Baillie said.
Don’t expect to see many familiar faces on the ballot across the province, however. With the exception of sitting MLAs and former MLA Pat Dunn, who was unseated in Pictou Centre four years ago, an entirely new roster of candidates will be selected.
“As the new leader, I take my job seriously, and that includes finding a whole new slate of candidates,” Baillie said.
“I think people want real change in this election, and as leader, I want the candidates we select to reflect that.”
The party has already put significant work into its platform for the next election. Already, a series of TV ads promoting the platform are airing.
“We want to rebuild the economy of the Valley from the ground up,” he said. “Lower taxes, stop wasteful government spending and create more jobs – that is the bottom-line objective of the PC Party, and no one knows better than the Annapolis Valley of the hardships that are caused when our government is so mismanaged, as it is now.”
The main message to voters will be that the party offers “real change” to the Liberals and NDP.
“We want to show people how we are different from both of the other government parties, whether it’s from how to grow our economy and create jobs, how to lower electricity prices, how to make our universities, like Acadia, be all they can be. We have very different views from both the Liberals and the NDP on how to accomplish that.”
When the election call will be made, however, is anyone’s guess. Baillie is hoping Nova Scotians will go to the polls in June.
“Obviously, the NDP could choose to cling to power beyond the four-year mark, but four years is the natural point, and I intend to be ready,” he said. “That’s why we have more nominated candidates than anybody else.”
