Monday 2 August 2010

“I’m not John Banks”

It’s often said  in politics that govts, both central and local, are not so much voted in as voted out.  This couldn’t be more true in the competition for the Auckland mayoralty, in which few people even bother to vote, and those who do vote mostly tick the box they think will throw out someone they despise.

If I may summarise things in Auckland over recent years,

  • Les Mills became unpopular.
  • So Christine Fletcher stood against him—her only real platform being “I’m not Les Mills.
    She won.  And quickly became unpopular.
  • So John Banks stood against her—his only real platform being “I’m not Christine Fletcher.” 
    He won. And quickly became unpopular.
  • So Dick Hubbard stood against him—his only real platform being “I’m not John Banks.” 
    He won. And quickly became unpopular.
  • So John Banks stood against him—his only real platform being “I’m not Dick Hubbard.” 
    He won. And then people quickly realised he was John Banks.
  • So now that Auckland’s five whopping bureaucracies are being transformed into a Super-Whopper (by a man who, ironically, talks about small govt) Len Brown and Andrew Williams are both standing on a platform of “We’re Not John Banks.”

So tune in soon for a race barely one-third of Auckland will care about enough to vote; in a competition to take over a Super-Whopper of a bureaucracy with a turnover larger than any New Zealand company; between three candidates unable to articulate any real policy platforms; about whom most Aucklanders, if they feel anything all about them, express quiet loathing; and whose only record in local government is to preside over councils who implemented whopping spending rises.

It’s going to be one almighty super-sized cock-up, this Super-Whopper, isn’t it.

4 comments:

Jeremy said...

Alot of people in Auckland wouldn't have had the chance to vote John Banks or not John Banks.

I do agree with you though and remember Les Mils becoming unpopular but can't quite remember why.

Anonymous said...

Banks has a Stephen Rainbow as his chief advisor. Any refugee from Wellington will recall this highest- order tosser on the Green ticket on Wgtn Council. Exceptionally wet (comes from tree hugging?)and anti-business. I was already appalled by his squeakiness, john banks, from his Muldoon govt days.
Peter

James said...

As both National and Labour wanted the Supercity it was going to happen regardless of wheather Rodney was organising it or not.

Be damm glad he is....it would have been far worse under anyone else....race based seats being just one example.

Peter Cresswell said...

@James: By "far worse" you're clearly conceding what's proposed under your friend Rodney is bad.

Did you really want ACT's entire political capital, built up over fifteen years, to be expended on THIS?