The year 2011 is coming to an end. It is customary for the media and perhaps for you as well, to look back at what has happened.

Each year brings its lot of good and bad news. I, for one, have decided to look on the bright side of things. And so let me introduce you to those whose political life, in 2011, has been good.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper - Photo by University of Saskatchewan, Flickr

Number one on the list is, I believe, Stephen Harper. Prime Minister since 2006, he finally achieved in 2011 what no other Conservative leader has been able to pull off since 1988: a majority government.

Whether we are for or against his policies does nothing to lessen his luster. In fact, to form a government is a good thing in and of itself, but for a leader to form a majority government is even better.

And so, for this reason alone, 2011 has proven to be a very good year for Prime Minister Harper.

To boot, his dream year, if we may call it that, has been enhanced by the fact that he has had to face opposition parties with provisional leaders.

Speaking of opposition, let’s take a look at the NDP in Ottawa. They’ve also had an exceptional year. For the first time in its history, it has raised itself to the rank of official opposition. No small feat.

However, if the party’s joys have been great, it felt a heavy blow when its leader, Jack Layton, died a few short weeks after its electoral exploits.

That being said, the NDP has been able to swiftly pull up its socks and still has the favours of a good number of voters. Polls indicate that should an election be happening in the next little while,  the NDP would regain its title as official opposition.

Premier Christy Clark - Photo by Stephen Dyrgas, Flickr

Here, in British Columbia, Liberal leader Christy Clark and BCNDP leader Adrian Dix, can also consider 2011 to be a positive one for the simple reason that they both recently became leaders of their respective parties. For both parties it has been an uphill battle and their efforts have been recompensed by their party members.

Having said this, it looks like the year has been better for the leader of the official opposition than for the Premier.

Polls indicate clearly that Adrian Dix’s party would form the new government in the next general elections. True enough, no elections are slated for any time soon, but the thought is taking root.

Opposition Leader Adrian Dix - Photo by taminator, Flickr

2012 will be a year of hard work for those who have had a dream of a year in 2011, if only to consolidate their positions. In B.C., what will happen in 2012 will set the tone for the next elections, slated for the spring of 2013.

On the national scene, the NDP will be choosing its next leader and will have its team ready to deal with government and demonstrate that they are a government in waiting.

There should be tidbits enough to fodder a few columns in 2012.

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Translation Monique Kroeger