NDP looking to continue strong Kamloops performances, force minority win

KAMLOOPS — Historically, the NDP have fared quite well in the Kamloops riding, finishing second in six of the last eight federal elections. However, with federal polling numbers slipping for the New Democrats, the door has potentially been opened for the Liberals to gain ground across the Interior of British Columbia. The Kamloops ridings have two candidates making their maiden journeys into the political world and working to ensure the NDP remain the top left-of-centre option in the minds of voters.

It usually comes down to the Conservatives and New Democrats in Kamloops, but with the NDP trailing in national polls, it’s a hard road ahead for Miguel Godau in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola.

“We’ve shown well. This is a blue-orange riding, so when people are talking about strategic voting, if you want to see the Liberals get in we should be voting orange. We should be supporting voting for the NDP because I think we are a blue-orange riding and I think it’s four of the last five elections we have come second,” said Godau.

General cost increases are a major focus for Godau and the constituents he’s been speaking to on the campaign trail.

“A lot people I chat with are very concerned about grocery prices and increased unaffordability, so when I’m chatting with people, people are worried about being able to buy their food, being able to pay for their medication, having to choose between if they will pay for food or pay for medication. Being able to afford rent, mortgage payments — so affordability has been by far the biggest concern that has been brought to me,” said Godau.

The NDP are campaigning to keep the Liberals or Conservatives to a minority government, something they say has been successful in recent years.

“With so few seats in parliament over the years, the NDP has been able to hold the governments of the day accountable to the people,” said Godau.

The candidate for Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies is Phaedra Idzan, who was not available for comment ahead of our deadline.