Canadian conservatives win election victory

Conservative leader Stephen Harper won a victory today in Canada’s election, ending 13 years of Liberal rule, pushing the country rightward on social and economic issues and bolstering ties with the US.

The official results gave the Conservatives a strong lead with most votes counted – but it appeared likely the margin would be too small to rule outright, forcing the party to form a minority government and making it difficult to get legislation through a divided House of Commons.