The ruling Progressive Conservative Party, led by Premier John Hamm, was reduced to a minority government.

Hamm's party ran on a policy of fiscal management, tax cuts, and on their record of fulfilling most of their promises.

While the NDP agreed in principle to tax cuts, their main cause was the creation of a public auto insurance company.

Hamm received criticism for a great number of spending programs, including a $150 tax rebate cheque sent to Nova Scotians right before the election.

Darrell Dexter's friendly, non-confrontational style, was popular with many voters, and was a marked change from his party's usually strident socialism.