Riding profile: London West a bellwether riding

Candidates from London West took part in a debate on Wednesday, September 24, 2015 in London, Ont.

As the marathon campaign turns into a sprint to election day, the 91,000 voters in London West have told candidates their priorities.

“How we get the economy humming again. I think we still have a long way to go and we need a Liberal government,” is what Kate Young, the Grit candidate in the riding, says she’s hearing from voters.

NDP candidate Matthew Rowlinson says people want to hear how his party will help local start-up companies in sustainable fields.  “We are going to support those companies.”

The Progressive Conservative’s Ed Holder, a recognizable face in London West who represented the riding since 2008, says people want to talk about jobs and the economy.

“What we've provided is strong, stable governance through frankly one of the most troubling economic times in all our lives,” he says.

But the Liberals have their own familiar face in former TV anchor Young.

“I can't say that it’s a slam dunk that people say, ‘Oh, because I know you, I’m going to vote for you,' but we get horns honking so that's nice.”

Rowlinson, an English professor, believes he has knocked on the most doors of any candidate.

He believes London West voters who elected the NDP’s Peggy Sattler provincially, relate to him.

“People love her and I'm confident and hopeful that at least some of that support is going to transfer to me.”

But the Green Party’s Demitri Lascaris, a lawyer, says voters want a fresh start.

“People don't have the preconceived notions about us. Not nearly as much as they may have about the Conservatives or Liberals so they’re willing to listen.”

Western University political scientist Cameron Anderson describes London West as a bellwether riding, meaning the results in the riding will likely reflect the outcome nationally.

“If that seat goes to a party other than the Conservatives I think that might suggest something a bit more negatively for the Conservatives more generally.”

Pundits will be paying extra attention to the results in London West.

Quotes

Lascaris: “This riding is capable of going just about any way so you have to be prepared to deal with a diversity of views,” Lascaris

Rowlinson: “People are tired of the scandals of the Harper government. They are tired of the unfulfilled promises. They are tired of the cuts.”

Young: “Most Londoners want change. We hear that a lot at the door.”

Holder: “You know what the change will be, is that as the economy becomes more stable it will be nice to govern in stable times