HALIFAX — Darrell Dexter's biggest political asset may be his one liability in Nova Scotia's provincial election.

The NDP leader, an adroit negotiator, has made a career of proposing amendments and making compromises with the province's minority Conservative government.

Under his guidance, the party has ensured the province will cover all health-care costs for seniors in nursing homes starting next year.

In the budget, Premier Rodney MacDonald borrowed a chapter from Dexter's campaign playbook when he promised a home-heating rebate that will save the average household $200 a year.

But those measures that Dexter helped usher in may thwart his efforts to win the election, says Michael MacMillan, chairman of the political science department at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.

"He's come forward with proposals that were well-received by voters, and some of which have been incorporated into amendments to government policy,'' MacMillan said.

"(But) he has to be a little bit careful about what he's criticizing. You've helped make the government's policies better and also you've helped show that they do in fact listen to criticism and respond, which makes the government's case all the stronger and makes your prospects somewhat dimmer.''

Dexter, a former lawyer and journalist, dismisses those concerns.

"The message to the people of the province has always been that the Conservatives will do the right thing, but only after they've exhausted every other opportunity, so we have been the instrument by which we have forced the government time and time again to do the right thing,'' he said in an interview.

"People are very, very cognizant of that. They know that what they've seen from this Conservative government is what I would call the pale blue Conservatives. You only see the deep blue Conservatives when they have a majority.''

Dexter comes from humble roots that can be traced to his days as a newspaper boy in the north end of Halifax. His father, a Second World War veteran and sheet metal worker, instilled in him the value of a dollar.

The 48-year-old says he draws upon his experience growing up to remember those less fortunate when setting out his political agenda.

That set of priorities includes pushing for a driver-owned, non-profit auto insurance system and a tuition freeze - two issues that appeal to working-class families.

Still, Dexter is faced with the task of persuading rural Nova Scotians that the NDP is a viable government-in-waiting.

"Dexter has many of the same strengths that (former Tory premier) John Hamm had as a very pleasant personality from small-town Nova Scotia, someone who goes over extremely well in front of gatherings,'' MacMillan said.

"I suppose insofar as there are any demons, they would relate to the traditional reticence that rural Nova Scotia has to consider the NDP an acceptable alternative.''

A few facts about Darrell Dexter:

Age: 48

Education: Bachelor of journalism, University of King's College, Halifax. Bachelor of education, law degree, Dalhousie University, Halifax.

Early years: Grew up in Halifax and Milton, N.S. Early career in print and radio journalism. Partner in Dartmouth, N.S., law firm since 1989.

Politics: Election campaign chairman for provincial NDP in late '80s, early '90s. Elected to Dartmouth city council in 1993. First elected to Nova Scotia legislature in 1998, re-elected in 1999. Elected party leader June 2002 after a year as interim leader.

Family: Wife Kelly, son Harris, 15.

Quote: "All of these things that we had been arguing for for years became part of what the government was now willing to do because they saw that it was necessary to make some compromise.'' Nova Scotia NDP Leader Darrell Dexter.