For several years Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil has been quietly spreading his message around Nova Scotia that there is an alternative to the New Democratic government that isn't Progressive Conservative.
While people were for the most part oblivious to the effort, it appears as though more voters are now willing to forget the troubles experienced by the John Savage Liberals in the 1990s and consider McNeil as a credible choice for premier.
Since the 2009 election that saw the Darrell Dexter New Democrats take power for the first time in Nova Scotia history, the government has continued to enjoy the support of most voters. Polls have consistently shown the NDP to be solidly in power.
The most recent poll by Corporate Research Associates, however, shows that support is beginning to crumble.
Concerns over the future of public education in light of government cutbacks and almost non-stop power rate increases probably have a lot to do with this.
As much as the NDP message on education makes sense - per pupil funding is up at the same time the number of students is down - any government that puts children in its crosshairs runs the serious risk of being unemployed.
At the same time, incessant applications by Nova Scotia Power to increase its rates suggests the government is powerless to do anything about it.
Just three months ago, the government enjoyed the support of 44 per cent of those surveyed; today it's just 35 per cent. It still puts them in top spot, but a nine per cent drop in just a few months will probably put to an end to any election speculation for this year. While NDP numbers are down, the Liberals are up from 27 per cent to 33 and McNeil's personal popularity has increased six per cent to 27 (ahead of Dexter, who dropped to 23 from 29).
