The Peterson years Ontario Liberal Party

logo of ontario liberal party 1985 1990

the ontario liberal party first broke tories hold on province in 1985 under leadership of david peterson. peterson modernised party , made appealing urban voters , immigrants had supported cautious government of tory premiers john robarts , william davis.

peterson able form minority government 1985 1987 due accord signed ontario ndp. under accord, ndp exchanged support in legislature implementation of several ndp policies. result of 1987 election held once accord expired, peterson won strong majority government 95 seats, ever.

peterson s government ruled in time of economic plenty occasional instances of fiscal imprudence not remarked on. peterson close ally of prime minister brian mulroney on meech lake accord, opposed mulroney on issue of free trade.

the majority liberal government of 1987 1990 less innovative previous minority government. liberals increasing conservatism caused many centre-left voters @ ontario ndp , leader bob rae, , consider social-democratic ndp alternative liberals.

the liberals went 1990 election apparently strong support in public opinion polls. support evaporated, however. on campaign trail, media reported liberals met voters angry @ going polls 3 years government s mandate. negative factor peterson s association mulroney , failed meech lake accord attempt @ constitutional reform, public felt strongly. campaign poorly run: mid-campaign proposal cut provincial sales tax particularly bad blunder. party had underestimated impact of patti starr fundraising scandal, allegations surrounding liberal government s links land developers.

in 1990 election, liberals finished 5 points behind ndp in popular vote. however, ndp took many seats liberals in toronto suburbs. ndp promised return activist form of government had prevailed 1985 1987, , co-operation liberals during time made appear more moderate , acceptable swing voters in toronto area. due nature of first-past-the-post system, liberals decimated, falling 95 seats 36. 59-seat loss surpassed 48-seat loss in 1943 began tories long rule on province. peterson himself heavily defeated in own london-area riding ndp challenger.