In spite of the controversies around some of the NDP reforms, both internally and from the NDP’s opponents, Premier Barrett was convinced he could persuade voters to re-elect the NDP. Social Credit had reorganized and had a bland new leader, Bill Bennett, the son of the former Premier. Barrett saw an opening and called a snap election less than three and a half years into the mandate. The NDP message focused this time on the NDP leader: “BC has strong leadership. Let’s keep it that way.” The campaign ran on the NDP record, and promised more of the same. Social Credit meanwhile had a simple message, ‘unite against socialism’. When the votes were counted the NDP had 39.16% of the popular vote – just 0.43% less than in 1972 – but the party was reduced to 18 seats. With 49% of the vote the Socreds captured 35 seats. Dave Barrett narrowly lost his own seat in Coquitlam, and the NDP was back in opposition.
The snap election and loss
