Politics

Little was elected leader of the provincial NDP in 1980.^[5] During the provincial election two years later, the party ran on the platform of creating 17,000 jobs during their first year in power, a bill of rights for workers, affordable housing, cheaper energy, and the amelioration of education, healthcare, and transportation. A staunch advocate for environmental controls, Little was of the opinion that nuclear power was "expensive, risky, and not even necessary for our own power needs".^[3] He stated that the construction of the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station "was a mistake, and we're determined that the same mistake should not be made again", in light of the four heavy water spills that occurred there during its first six months of operation.^[3] However, he was forced to make a key concession to his party – who risked losing some of its traditional votes over the issue – which took a neutral stance on nuclear energy.^[3] Under his leadership, the NDP received more than 10% of the province-wide vote for the first time and won seats in the legislative assembly for the first time.^[4] It ultimately gained two seats, although one of their members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) ended up defecting to the Liberals.^[5]

Little himself ran in the electoral district of Kings West in the 1978, 1982 and 1987 provincial elections, but failed to win a seat.^[5] He stepped down as leader in 1988.^[7] He also ran for the federal New Democratic Party in Fundy Royal in the 1980 federal election, but was defeated by Robert Corbett of the Progressive Conservative Party.^[8]