Condemnation from across the board

We blogged yesterday about a cowardly attempt to intimidate Wanganui mayoral candidate Michael Laws.

We are delighted to report that we're not the only ones to condemn this, and that the condemnation has come from both sides of the blogosphere. After all, you couldn't get two blogs further apart than No Right Turn and WhaleOil! 

Idiot/Savant blogs:

Someone has apparently sent a threatening letter to Wanganui mayoral candidate Michael Laws. Meanwhile, Labour leadership aspirant Shane Jones is publicly fantasising about torturing John key's genitalia.There's an obvious link between the two: both involve threatening violence against public figures for political gain. That is vile and it is wrong and it has absolutely no place in our democracy.

From the other extreme, Cameron Slater notes:

We live in a democracy where we encourage people to put forward alternate views. Politics is a robust environment but there is no need for violence. Politics is supposed to be a contest of ideas but unfortunately there are some among us who do not want alternate voices heard.
It used to be they would cut out letters an make words from them and stick them to cardboard and write in green felt tip, but now these essentially retarded people have Facebook and Twitter and other media with which to spew their rantings.

We agree with both points of view. The intimidation of candidates for public office has no place whatsoever in New Zealand society. It is pleasing that the political Left and Right can be in agreement on this issue.

Intimidation is not on

We're no great fans of Michael Laws, even though there are times where we have agreed with an opinion that he has expressed. Nor would we consider voting for him for the mayoralty of Wanganui this year. 

But this kind of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable, and needs to be denounced; Stuff reports:

Michael Laws says his initial reaction is "defiance", following an attack on his home and a threatening letter demanding he withdraw his candidacy for the Whanganui mayoralty.
Laws said his home in St John's Hill was attacked early yesterday morning, with broken beer bottles strewn across the driveway.
A handwritten letter was also delivered to his address, threatening action if he should continue with his candidacy for the Whanganui mayoralty.
Laws attached the contents of the letter, which began:
"Dear Michael,
Hey boy! You've got a problem! I want you to withdraw from the local election. You have an enemy in me. U know why? Because you are a feral fascist! [sic]"
A name and phone number, which appeared bogus, were attached to the letter.
Laws said he would not be threatened, blackmailed or bullied.
He told Fairfax Media today he believed the two incidents were related, and he had some idea of who it was.
"I've identified a leading suspect and I'll be handing their name to the police," he said.
He had spoken to police, but would make a formal complaint and hand in the evidence today.
"My immediate priority is ensuring the safety and security of my children," he said.
His children had gone to check the mailbox and had discovered the broken glass and the letter.
"I think it's despicable that people attack families in this way, it's happened before - I've had rocks through my children's bedroom windows."
Last week Laws suspended his mayoral campaign after his ex-partner, Leonie Brockhammer, suffered a severe stroke.
"I have a very strong family who have gone through a lot of adversity and obviously with their mother at the moment are undergoing quite a bit more," Laws said.
While he did not say if he had made a decision on whether to continue his campaign for Whanganui mayor, he said his initial reaction was "defiance".
"But I've got to put that to one side and make a considered reaction for the family. I know how instinctively I feel about it, but I've got to think with my heart, and not with my head. I just can't let an emotional response on the wider issue govern it." 

This attack is cowardly, and has no place in a democratic election campaign. It is especially vile that the intimidation has had a direct effect on Laws' children.

Whilst Michael Laws is not our preferred candidate, we are disgusted that this kind of behaviour has occurred. We are also deeply disappointed that it will further add to the negative perceptions that many have about Wanganui; perceptions which are generally undeserved.

We also take this opportunity to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Laws and Brookhammer families with regard to Ms Brookhammer's serious illness. For everyone's sake and especially her and her children's, we hope that she makes a complete recovery. 

Pete George for Mayor

Pete George is well known around the blogosphere as a prolific commenter, and a latter-day convert to Peter Dunne and UnitedFuture. Pete stood as a UF candidate in Dunedin North in 2011, and was ranked at #8 on the UnitedFuture list.

Today he has made a pretty significant announcement about which he blogs at his Your Dunedin blog. We've taken the liberty of republishing his full post which is entitled Pete George standing for mayor of Dunedin:

My nomination for mayor of Dunedin has been accepted. There are now eight mayoral candidates, with nominations closing at noon today (Friday 16 August). Listed on the DCC website:

• Dwyer, Kevin
• Whiley, Andrew Independent
• Cull, Dave Greater Dunedin
• Hawkins, Aaron Green Dunedin
• Calvert, Hilary
• George, Pete Your Dunedin
• Vandervis, Lee Independent
• Lequeux, Olivier

A healthy democracy has keenly contested elections, and I will be contesting this with determination.
It’s your Dunedin, I think you deserve better representation – a mayor who can raise the aims and efforts of  council, and reach out to the people of Dunedin far better with modern communication along with good old fashioned personal contact.
I have been encouraged by positive feedback and good advice, and it was apparent that my campaign priorities and strengths could be applied more effectively as mayor. So I will campaign on the same policies for mayor as for council, and see if the voters respond.
Priorities will be establishing far better communication with the people of Dunedin, using local MP, Government and party contacts better to promote Dunedin and Otago interests, and employment and regional development.
I have the drive and determination to do well.
I have been researching better democracy, applying politics and use of social media for the past five years. Standing in the 2011 election was a part of this process. Now is the right time to apply what I have learnt.
I welcome any opportunity to talk about my mayoral bid – contact details:

• Mobile 027 327 3469
• Home 03 471 2122
• Email petedgeorge@gmail.com

I think the incumbent mayor has been ok but Dunedin can do better. Dunedin should do better. I can contribute to that significantly.

Pete George candidate profile – Mayor
Your Dunedin mayor.
I am skilled at bringing people together promoting good decisions and solutions – with a fresh approach.
I pledge to put in place a means of communication with people of Dunedin through social media and regular public meetings so we can do democracy better, where everyone has a chance to be heard. I will inform, listen, and represent people, organisations and businesses.
Employment and business development are key issues. We must be proactive in securing Dunedin and Otago interests, before it’s too late. This must be balanced by social and environmental responsibilities.
I will establish better communication and representation with your Dunedin MPs, central government and all parties through my political contacts.
In council I will push for responsible use of ratepayer’s money. Spend smarter, not just more.
For a mayor, council and the people in a more inclusive partnership please vote for me. Your Dunedin mayor.

We commend Pete for putting his money where his mouth is. Local government is an important part of our democracy, and whilst Pete may not be everyone's cup of tea, he is at least offering voters choice, and that is important. We wish him well with his campaign.

In the meantime, there's just an hour as we type this until nominations for the local elections close. And the burning question in Wanganui is "Will he or won't he?". We think you probably know who we mean, and we fervently hope that the answer is the latter part of the question!

Please say it isn't so...

There's talk of Michael Laws throwing his hat in the ring again to be mayor of Wanganui; the Herald on Sunday reports:

Former shock jock Michael Laws - once an MP and mayor of Wanganui - is thought to be considering a rerun for his old mayoral job.
A source told the Herald on Sunday Laws has been sending more emails recently about civic affairs.
Laws was weighing up the position, but would not announce he was standing until the last minute, the source said.
"It certainly wouldn't surprise me."
Current mayor Annette Main, whose husband John Blythe died this week, said she would stand again and was not concerned by talk of a challenge.
Laws told the Herald on Sunday: "I haven't given any thought to local body elections whatsoever."

We've heard slightly differently to what Laws told the Herald on Sunday. The whispers reaching us are that the former mayor will not only very likely stand for his old job, but will have a "ticket" of council candidates as well; rather like his former Vision Wanganui ticket, but without a name.

We're not denying that Michael Laws did a reasonable job as mayor; he certainly got Wanganui into the nation's consciousness. And as we have blogged previously, we supported 100% the Gang Insignia Bill that Laws and Whanganui MP Chester Borrows promoted, which until the High Court intervened was working just fine.

But we do not believe that another term with Mr Laws as mayor will benefit Wanganui. We had misgivings when Annette Main was elected, but we have been pleasantly surprised by her willingness to engage with the business community. After six divisive years under Laws' leadership, she has been like a breath of fresh air.

There don't seem to be too many possible challengers to Ms Main. Cr Ray Stevens is possibly stepping down from council, Dot McKinnon has moved away from local body politics, and young Cr Jack Bullock knows that he needs a longer apprenticeship. Whilst a contest of ideas and policies is always good, a contest based on personalities and talkback hyperbole would do our city more harm than good.

Cr Laws has come under plenty of criticism for his attendance record at Council and District Health Board meetings in the last year or so. We wonder if another bid for mayor would be attempted for the right reasons. Michael Laws excels in self-promotion but what Wanganui needs at the moment is a mayor whose primary focus is making Wanganui a great city to live in. We're not convinced that Michael Laws is that person.  

A subtle message from The Press?

It seems as though Liane Dalziel will soon confirm Christchurch's worst-kept secret and announce her candidacy for the job of Mayor. And to encourage her, The Press is running a poll, which presently runs in her favour. But check this out:

Why wouldn't you vote for a radiant, beaming Ms Dalziel, against the taciturn, tired and grumpy looking Bob Parker? 

Has The Press already annointed Ms Dalziel as its candidate of choice, even though an official announcement will not be made until Saturday? Is this a subtle (or perhaps a not-so-subtle) message from the editorial staff of The Press that a fresh face is just what Christchurch needs?

We reckon that this is pretty shallow, shabby stuff from The Press. After all, it's not as though they don't have a fair selection of file pics of Bob Parker in a more jovial state. We will be watching the campaign with interest (assuming that Ms Dalziel does indeed decide to run) to see if coverage is fair and balanced, as it should be.