Polls were for dogs (VII)

Real Leadership is not governing by polls but it is listening and responding to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

- The Word of Our Dan, 2000

MR. WISEMAN: Mr. Chair, I know my time is running out. I just wanted to - before I wrap up I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the newly elected Member for Topsail. Elected with a resounding majority, I say, Mr. Chair. A vote of confidence in him as an individual and what he brings to that particular post that he has and what he will deliver to his constituents, but I say, Mr. Chair, he is a part of a team. He is a part of a team that has been embraced by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. If you consider what has been happening in the last five or six years since we formed government in 2003. Since we formed government in 2003, Mr. Chair, just look at what the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have been saying. They have said it in an election in 2003; they have said it in an election in 2007; they have said it in by-elections since that time, and they say it in public opinion polls. When asked: Who do you want to be the leader of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador? Who do they say? Our current Premier. When you ask them: What party do you want representing you in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador? What is it they say? They say the Progressive Conservative Party.

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Mr. Chair, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, the members of this House just should not take my word for that, just look at what elections have said, just look at what opinion polls have said. They have clearly endorsed the policy decisions of this government. They have clearly endorsed the sound leadership being provided by our Premier. They clearly endorsed the fiscal platform of this government, because I say, Mr. Chair, it is sound, prudent fiscal management. We have been focused on that since 2003, and we will continue to be focused on good fiscal policy that ensures that we develop the resources of Newfoundland and Labrador so that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the principle benefactors of that.