Prince Edward Island general election, 1974

The Prince Edward Island general election, 1974 was the first election that the NDP contested as a provincial party on PEI. Not since the CCF in 1951 had there been a third party competing for votes on the island. Many Liberals worried that the introduction of the NDP would split the vote on the Left, and cause more Conservative governments, but history shows that in ridings the NDP does well in, Liberals are more likely to win. In the 10 elections the NDP has taken part in, 5 have been won by each of the Liberals and Conservatives. In this election the NDP was able to pick up 5.9% of the vote, a number they would only better in 1996 and 2000.