Original sentence: NDP support fell even further in the 1999 election, leaving the party with just 9 seats.Others argued that the the Tories were only helping the NDP so they could continue to split the vote with the Liberals.The Tories argued that their decision was made due the new legislature's smaller size.The new Liberal government refused to change the rules as the Tories had done.Under the rules of the legislature, a party would receive "official party status", and the resources and prvileges accorded to officially-recognized parties, if it had at least 12 seats, the NDP lost caucus funding and the ability to ask questions in the House
Edited sentence: Because the rules of the legislature demanded an official party have at least 12 seats, the NDP lost caucus funding and the ability to ask questions in the House.Others cynically argued that the the Tories were only helping the NDP so they could continue to split the vote with the Liberals.Seeking to kill off the NDP for good, the new Liberal government refused to change the rules as the Tories had done.The 1999 election featured NDP support fall even further, with just 9 seats.The Tories argued that their decision was made due the new leguslature's smaller size