As the election dust settles over the region, political analysts say while challenges lie ahead for the three South Island ridings, there is a silver lining.

B次元官网网址淚f oneB次元官网网址檚 politics reduce to B次元官网网址榟ow much can you get meB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� which I hope it doesnB次元官网网址檛 B次元官网网址� in that sense we didnB次元官网网址檛 fare well,B次元官网网址� said David Black, associate professor with Royal Roads UniversityB次元官网网址檚 School of Communication and Culture.

But municipalities across the country B次元官网网址� regardless if they have a Conservative MP B次元官网网址� will feel the sting of service and spending cutbacks, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper looks to trim taxes and reduce the deficit, said Dennis Pilon, University of Victoria political science professor.

Strategically, some Conservatives will want to improve their chances of winning back Saanich-Gulf Islands, or take away Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, he added.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e going to be judicious,B次元官网网址� Pilon said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e going to try to offer something tantalizing, but with the promise of more, if one were to play the right way.B次元官网网址�

Pilon and Black agree voting is not just about ensuring a ridingB次元官网网址檚 financial security.

B次元官网网址淪ure, everybody wants jobs in the local riding, but when people go to vote itB次元官网网址檚 about how they want to influence the national questions,B次元官网网址� said Pilon, who believes South Island residents will be well-represented in Parliament. Residents in the Victoria, Saanich-Gulf Islands and Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca ridings will be rewarded with a different kind of influence, said Black.

Randall GarrisonB次元官网网址檚 upset win over the Conservatives in the Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca riding will extend the NDPB次元官网网址檚 influence, said Black, adding Denise Savoie, NDP MP for Victoria, will likely be given a shadow cabinet role.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May will bring national attention to Saanich-Gulf Islands, and showcase what the Greens can do in Ottawa, he said. B次元官网网址淢ayB次元官网网址檚 conspicuousness B次元官网网址� her prominence B次元官网网址� may in fact give her a different kind of leverage,B次元官网网址� said Black, B次元官网网址淲e will be a progressive outpost, but I think we will be one that will be noticed B次元官网网址� and we will be listened to.B次元官网网址�

emccracken@vicnews.com