Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny D Oh
There's 16 ridings here the PC's will have a hard time retaining. They need to win half of them for a majority.
City PC ridings up for grabs in my opinion...a few of these could evolve into 3 way races.
Seine River
Southdale (think PC's could hold on if they dumped Gordon, but she has basically no chance to win re-election)
McPhillips
Radisson (incumbent here is also intensely unpopular)
Rossmere
Assiniboia
Kirkfield Park
Fort Richmond (unpopular incumbent with poor ministerial record)
Riel
Waverly (unpopular incumbent here too)
Lagimodiere
Kildonan-River East (vast riding, very divided north-south, a NDP stronghold vs PC stronghold at city limits)
Rural PC ridings up for grabs in my opinion:
Selkirk (NDP chances here really depend on getting out the vote)
Dauphin (Has been a NDP stronghold in past and PC's really killed this community with lay-offs/lack of economic development, PEOPLE ARE MAD)
Both Brandon ridings (Brandon is feeling the lack of urban investment by the PC's as acutely as Winnipeg)
Springfield (traditional PC stronghold but NDP polling strong here lately as locals very pissed at Guillemard as environ minister and PC government for increasing industry in area with low regulation and lack of local support)
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I agree that these will be the ridings to watch and will decide on the government. Here’s my opinion:
Winnipeg:
Seine River (PC) - The area lost a lot of its traditional NDP base around the mall and picked up more southern areas near the perimeter.
Southdale (NDP) - Close last time, Gordon has a high profile and the NDP will spend a lot of resources to oust her. The riding has taken on more of the blue collar areas of Windsor Park and lost its traditional PC base in Royalwood.
McPhillips (NDP) - Nail bitter last election. This time with the NDP polling much higher, this will be the most likely urban riding to flip.
Radisson (NDP) - Has been a historically traditional NDP riding. It went PC when they swept the NDP from power. Managed to stay Tory in 2019. This time with an unpopular incumbent and NDP polling higher, it shouldn’t even be close.
Rossmere (Toss-up) - This one is tough. Could go either way.
Assiniboia (Toss-up) - See above.
Kirkfield Park (PC) - Klein is a retail politician and a constituency guy. He has a good ground game. I say PC hold.
Fort Richmond (PC) - Last time the Liberals split the centre-left vote). If the Libs field another strong candidate, I could see the Tories holding it by default.
Riel (NDP) - Despite Squires being a high ranking minister, this riding is the most likely of the south Winnipeg ones to flip.
Waverly (PC) - Traditional Tory leaning area. Suburban and higher income.
Lagimodiere (PC) - See above.
Kildonan-River East (PC) - This riding has seen a large population boom of new, expensive neighborhoods near the Perimeter. Bonnie Mitchelson managed to hold it even when the Tories lost every seat north of the Assiniboine River. Candidacy will matter this time.
Rural Ridings:
Selkirk (NDP) - Strong candidate, traditional urban NDP riding with no PC incumbent.
Dauphin (PC) - Rural MB has shifted more to the right in recent years. The PC’s are still polling well outside of WPG.
Brandon East (NDP) - City splits, with the eastern part going back to its NDP roots.
Brandon West (PC) - It’ll be close but I think the Tories eek out a win here.
Springfield (PC) - Especially if Schuler runs again. Traditional PC rural riding with ex-urbanites in Oakbank who tend to sway centre right.
Curious to see what everyone else thinks. This election will certainly be interesting. I have a feeling that it’ll be close. I would be happy with a minority government of either party with the Liberals holding the balance of power.