NDP celebrates historic gains

The NDP iscelebratinga historic achievement in Newfoundland and Labrador by taking a recordnumber of seats in the house of assembly.

After winning in five districts to the Liberals' six,the NDP narrowly missed forming the Official Opposition.

New Democratic Leader Lorraine Michael, the lone NDP incumbent, kept her seatin Signal Hill-Quidi Vidion Tuesday.

"I'm excited with the whole team that we have,"Michael said."Ican't say that I'm not disappointed but we are where we are and I'm going to make the best of it."

Michael, 68,has held her district since winninga 2006 byelection. She was a Roman Catholicnun but left the church after revelations of sexual abuse byreligious leaders in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Michael will be joined in caucus by:

• Gerry Rogersin St. John's Centre.
• Dale Kirby, the party president,St. John's North.
• George Murphyin St. John's East.
• Christopher Mitchelmore in The Straits-White Bay North.

The New Democratshad previouslynever held more than two seats in the house.

On Tuesday, the NDP came second in 23 districts.

At dissolution, the PCs held 43 of the 48 seats in the house of assembly, while the Liberals held four and the NDPone.