Fabian Manning says dogged determination by volunteers carried him to victory Monday night, but admits infuriated fishermen didn't hurt, either.

Manning became a hero to fishermen last spring when he spoke out publicly against the Williams government's plan to overhaul the crab industry through its raw materials share plan.




Manning was thrown out of the Progressive Conservative caucus, and sat until December on the other side of the House of Assembly as an Independent.

Manning ran away with a majority of votes in Avalon Monday, with a large boost from communities that have a strong fishing presence.

"My emphasis has always been on organization," he said.

Fabian Manning celebrates with supporters Monday night after winning the seat in Avalon.
Fabian Manning celebrates with supporters Monday night after winning the seat in Avalon.

"(But) there's no doubt that the fishermen in the riding were very, very good to me … they came out in big numbers in areas that don't traditionally vote Conservative," Manning said.

As an example, he cited two polls from Port de Grave – the Conception Bay town that is not only one of the most active fishing communities in the province, but the political base for John Efford, the former Liberal MP.

Efford won the seat by a margin of more than 9,000 votes in 2004.

Manning not only pushed back the Liberal vote, but won the seat by a margin of about 4,800 votes and with almost 52 per cent of the vote.

To accomplish that, Manning won support in fishing communities like Ship Harbour, a Liberal bastion also located in Manning's former provincial district of St. Mary's-The Capes.

"I ran three provincial elections and I could never win Ship Harbour. Last night, I won Ship Harbour," Manning said.

Manning said he did not interpret the results as a slap against Newfoundland and Labrador premier Danny Williams.

'I feel betrayed': Liberal worker

George Warford, an Upper Island Cove resident who worked on the Liberal campaign, said the Conservatives were able to take the riding with the help of disgruntled fishermen.

"I hope Manning is able to live up to the expectations of these fishermen because, I'll tell you, it is not easy to live up to the expectations of these people," said Warford.

"I feel betrayed in those key areas that we've looked after as Liberals. We lost those fishing communities big."

Bill Morrow, the lawyer who represented the Liberal party in Avalon, issued a warning Monday to the rookie MP.

"You better do a good job, because you're working for me now," Morrow told supporters Monday night.

"I'm the constituent and you're working for me now, and you better do a damn good job."