[2] Michael was succeeded by former Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union president, Earle McCurdy on March 7, 2015.

In October 2021, MHA Jim Dinn was chosen as the party's interim leader following the resignation of Alison Coffin.

[10][11] In 1986, Gene Long won the party's second seat in a by-election in the riding of St. John's East (since renamed Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi).

Also that year Fenwick was arrested, along with union representatives, for participating in a strike by the Newfoundland Association of Public Employees (NAPE).

Cle Newhook replaced Fenwick as party leader and the NL NDP was once again left without representation after the 1989 election when both ridings they had held were won by Progressive Conservatives.

The 1996 general election resulted in a landslide majority government for the Liberal Party, the New Democrats received only 4.45% of the vote and nominated candidates in only 20 of the provinces 48 ridings.

Though the party suffered their worst electoral result in 14 years, Harris was easily re-elected in the new riding of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi.

In a Corporate Research Associates (CRA) poll conducted just weeks after the federal election in May 2011, the NL NDP support rose to 20%.

[25] The NL NDP surpassed the Liberals in polling in September 2011, and won just under 25% of the popular vote, and five seats, in the October 11, 2011, general election.

The Progressive Conservatives won their third straight majority government and while the New Democrats placed second in the popular vote, they finished third behind the Liberal Party in seats.

[26] On October 21, 2013, it was revealed that Michael had received a letter from her caucus over the previous weekend calling for a leadership election to be held in 2014.

The caucus felt that without renewal in the party they would have trouble attracting quality candidates and public support in the 2015 election.

In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Michael said she was shocked by the letter and felt betrayed by her caucus.

Both Kirby and Mitchelmore later announced they were leaving the caucus to sit as Independent MHAs, and both men joined the Liberal Party in February 2014.

Michael announced on January 6, 2015 that she would step down as leader after the party performed poorly in four recent by-elections.

[43] In April 2018, MHA Gerry Rogers was elected leader defeating economist Alison Coffin.

[44] Memorial University economics professor and consultant Alison Coffin was acclaimed leader on March 5, 2019.

[50] On May 12, 2021, Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage rejected Coffin's bid for a recount, arguing that there was not sufficient evidence.

[53] In October 2021, MHA Jim Dinn was chosen as the party's interim leader following the resignation of Alison Coffin.