Unlike Bob Parker I do not profess an impartiality. We all have political
views and a political past. I won't comment on Bob's; mine are an open
book, and it is hardl a suprise that a Labour MP would be supporting the
Labour-endorsed 2021 candidate. But - and this is one of the paranoias of
some involved in local politics - I do not regard involvement in a political
party as a polluting or terrible thing. My political party base and beliefs
give me easy access to accountability, an access to volunteers able to
deliver newsletters to doors in my electorate, a base for ethical
fundraising, a group to discuss policy, an intelligent manifesto on which to
fight an election, and some certainty of response on issues based on past
record and my known beliefs. Megan can offer all that; Bob, on current
evidence, cannot.
Blair is right to say that the web presence, and all flowing from that, will
be significant in this election, and that few will be fooled by big spends
(using money from undisclosed sources) on glossy leaflets, newspaper
advertisements and billboards. I am confident that the close fight already
evident in the Mayoral race will transform the coverage of the race, and
that hard questions will be asked (and the quality of answers monitored)
over the next 3 months. Bob and Megan both have records as local body
politicians against which we can judge the sincerity and credibility of the
policies which they have presented and will present to the public. As a
serving Councillor who has voted on many items which will become election
matters (e.g. rate levels, the establishment of shelf companies, Central
Plains Water) Bob has an established record. I expect Megan to lead the
production of detailed 2021 policies which will match that. As Blair points
out, others will stand and develop their stalls. I see virtue in policies
of sufficient detail to withstand analysis - maybe the puiblic will be more
persuaded by a few sentences of sound bites, but only time will tell.
views and a political past. I won't comment on Bob's; mine are an open
book, and it is hardl a suprise that a Labour MP would be supporting the
Labour-endorsed 2021 candidate. But - and this is one of the paranoias of
some involved in local politics - I do not regard involvement in a political
party as a polluting or terrible thing. My political party base and beliefs
give me easy access to accountability, an access to volunteers able to
deliver newsletters to doors in my electorate, a base for ethical
fundraising, a group to discuss policy, an intelligent manifesto on which to
fight an election, and some certainty of response on issues based on past
record and my known beliefs. Megan can offer all that; Bob, on current
evidence, cannot.
Blair is right to say that the web presence, and all flowing from that, will
be significant in this election, and that few will be fooled by big spends
(using money from undisclosed sources) on glossy leaflets, newspaper
advertisements and billboards. I am confident that the close fight already
evident in the Mayoral race will transform the coverage of the race, and
that hard questions will be asked (and the quality of answers monitored)
over the next 3 months. Bob and Megan both have records as local body
politicians against which we can judge the sincerity and credibility of the
policies which they have presented and will present to the public. As a
serving Councillor who has voted on many items which will become election
matters (e.g. rate levels, the establishment of shelf companies, Central
Plains Water) Bob has an established record. I expect Megan to lead the
production of detailed 2021 policies which will match that. As Blair points
out, others will stand and develop their stalls. I see virtue in policies
of sufficient detail to withstand analysis - maybe the puiblic will be more
persuaded by a few sentences of sound bites, but only time will tell.
