ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland and Labrador's New Democratic Party has voted to keep Lorraine Michael as leader after some caucus members revolted last fall, splitting the small group.
Michael needed the support today of 50 per cent plus one of 125 voting members to avoid a leadership convention.
She got 94 votes, or 75 per cent.
The party moved up its convention scheduled for next October after the very public crisis over Michael's ability to recruit new candidates.
The NDP had won historic gains in the 2011 provincial election and was riding high in public opinion polls before the damaging episode.
Two of five members quit the third-party caucus and now sit as Opposition Liberals in the Progressive Conservative-led government.
The next election must be called 12 months after Frank Coleman is confirmed as the new Tory leader in July and sworn in as premier.
