the dexter government was defeated in the 2013 provincial election which saw the ndp collapse to only 7 seats, reducing it to third party status in the legislature behind the liberals and tories. this was mainly due to a near-meltdown in halifax, the party's power base for almost two decades; the ndp went from holding 14 of the capital's 20 seats to only two. dexter ran in cole harbour-portland valley, essentially a reconfigured version of his old seat, and lost to liberal tony ince by only 21 votes. he was the first sitting premier of nova scotia to be unseated in his own riding since ernest armstrong in 1925. eight other members of his cabinet were defeated. on november 16, 2013, dexter announced he would resign as ndp leader, effective november 23, 2013.