Everyone thought that the Saskatchewan NDP government was headed for another strong majority. But the depth of anger against the NDP all but cost them the election.
On the eve of the vote polls put the NDP up to 21 points ahead of the Saskatchewan Party, an amalgam of former provincial Tories, Liberals and federal Reform Party members.
But on election day it was a different story entirely.
The Saskatchewan Party not only all but shut out the NDP in Saskatchewan's rural ridings, they received a larger percentage of the popular vote with 39.6 percent. The NDP garnered 38.7 percent.
The NDP won a total of 29 seats, the SP 26 and the Liberals won 3.
It is clear that this was not an abberation but a result of Roy Romanow's right-wing policies. His attacks on working people, the poor and family farmers -- to name a few -- drove people into the arms of the Saskatchewan Party.
This is a result that could have been predicted from the experience of Ontario. Bob Rae's government likewise, laid the basis for the Tory government of Mike Harris.
Perhaps the most unfortunate result is that, lacking another clear alternative, farmers and working people in rural areas have shifted to an openly right-wing, pro-business party.
In consequence, Romanow will likely adopt even more right-wing policies to keep the support of the SP. He has already indicated that the NDP government will adopt elements of the SP and Liberal Party's platforms.
And during the election the promise which the NDP most retreated from was not their horrible "tough on crime" policies. Instead, they backed away from their platform promise of first year free tuition for college and university students.
As before the election, workers, natives, the poor, farmers and students will have to fight the NDP on the ground if they want to defend old gains or win new ones.