I have written before that this is the first local government election campaign that I have not been involved in for 47 years. This has been an extremely liberating experience. I have been called on to advise many candidates of all sorts of political persuasions. Not being involved does not mean that I don’t have opinions. In fact, I have some very strong ones.
The Tuesday club is shared between Rosemary and me. Rosemary has been heavily involved in the local government campaign, and her thoughts have been reflected on these pages. The beauty of our relationship is that I don’t necessarily agree with her view on who precisely to vote for. That’s called democracy.
There are some candidates who I feel should be around a council table. It’s essential in local democracy that the Council table reflect a mix of views on a range of topics. One observation I have found quite puzzling is the number of candidates attempting to convince the public that they are ‘independent”. This is false and leads to people distrusting politics and politicians even more. If you don’t believe me note the signs which emphasise that various candidates are “independent”. However, they all seem to be using the same “vote now” stickers, and interestingly mostly vote the same way.
I was talking to a candidate who was considering entering a race in Christchurch. They were approached by two supposed “independents” asking if they would stand down so another Independent had a better chance. This sort of behind closed doors negotiations demonstrates that supposed “independents” are working as a block.
In my ward I have two candidates both of whom I have voted for in the past. My observation of Ali Jones, and feedback from those who sat at the table with her, was that her performance at the Council table wasn’t inspiring. I didn’t vote for her next time she stood and I won’t this time either. Her voting record against bus lanes at the Community Board and when she queried the number of carparks for disabled in this city demonstrated she doesn’t reflect my values. I have instead voted for Pauline Cotter, a superb local Councillor who has performed well as deputy-Mayor and an expert bridge builder around the Council table.
I also would never vote for people who say they will lower rates or will sell trading assets owned on behalf of us all by Christchurch City Holdings Ltd (CCHL). Raf Manji has said he would sell up to 49% of trading shares. Just the same as his work mate John Key said when he sold the same percentage of the publicly owned power companies whilst promoting that this would lead to our power bills going down. Well, that worked well didn’t it……
The danger of voting for people who promote the sale of assets is that they make people think they have the power to achieve this. Over half at the Council table must agree to this and they must also consult the public before they can do it. A recent Christchurch ratepayers poll showed massive public support to retain our assets. The ideology of selling assets is neo-lib economics at its best in my opinion and doesn’t work.
The Auckland City Council had $9b of debt at the start of this term. They decided to sell $2b worth of airport shares and their debt is now $11b. We have kept our assets and this year CCHL has had a bumper year with good financial returns. The key issue for elected reps is to ensure that CCHL companies perform well financially, and if they don’t, demand that this to be remedied.
The key challenge for us as voters is to ensure that the person we vote for has a brain and can think deeply about matters in front of them. Loud voices add little to decision making. A Council table is where the debates must happen. They must be sensible and respectful, and the outcome of the debate must be in the best interests of the future generations living in this city.
Appreciate your values expressed here – which I share – but as am not in Christchurch I had not paid attention to your candidates – I had heard Ali Jones on The Panel on RNZ and sometimes she was on the mark and other times I struggled with her logic and position, so thanks for clarity on that voting record.
I would be interested in your views on regional councillors, especially as you have two of the best who are not standing for re-election speaking on nitrates at Tuesday Club.. In my ward i have the problem that while he is very much National (even ran the local MPs election campaign once) John Sunckel is the only councillor I have seen actually go and visit the sites and meet the people involved in hot issues to make sure he understands them and though I am sure he knows we are on politically different worlds, he still in his own way is working to solve problems and to carry farmers forward. And he was a volunteer with St Johns ambulance service for many years. SO he gets my vote despite his ideology.
thanks Hamish – I have heard Peter Trolove is good. Sophie McInnes is a star also for SDC