Labour List: some comments

I have posted the full list separately. Ones I think are of interest:

27 - Shane Jones. I think he will be a good addition to the Caucus, and at this list spot is guaranteed a seat unless Labour's vote falls substantially from the 2002 result.

36 - Maryan Street. I have heaps of respect for Maryan and again, she is interleaved among the MPs and this means she is highly likely to become an MP. A former party president, academic and employment relations manager, she will definitely bring useful skills. A very impressive political figure all round.

42 - Steven Ching. Has done lots and lots of work building the Chinese presence in Labour, right around the country and not just in his home base in Auckland. Will be a good asset to have on the list come election time. I have never met him so don't have a view as to how he will go in the Caucus.

43 - Sue Moroney. Everyone I know who has met Sue is very impressed. She will be a powerful addition to the Labour team in the Waikato/BoP area post election. I have not met her so again no particular comments to make.

44 - Darien Fenton. A solid unionist and member of the party's governing council. I have been consistently impressed by Darien since I first met her. She provides an authentic working voice in a caucus which sometimes manages to be pretty professional/middle class despite the party's roots. I rate her as well able to score some hits in parliament and in caucus.

45 - Charles Chauvel. I only met Charles properly for the first time last year, but have been incredibly impressed so far. His legal skills are outstanding and if he enters caucus (he is sitting about on the tipping point based on current polling) he will be a very important part of the legal team of MPs. He earns points with me for attracting ire from the right wing nasties and standing up for himself with great effectiveness.

The rest are probably not going to make it into Parliament, though Lesley Soper (46) will actually be an MP come election time, due to Jonathan's departure. Was pleased to see some younger candidates appearing on the list - Charles, Louisa Wall, Hamish McCracken, Leila Boyle, MIchael Wood, Tony Milne, David Talbot, Erin Ebborn-Gillespie, Kelly-Ann Harvey. This bodes well for the party's future.

Comments

[Aspidistra]

My understanding is that Jonathan Hunt was hanging around precisely long enough so that Lesley Soper wouldn't become an MP this term.

[Jordan]

Lesley Soper will become an MP. List MPs are replaced as soon as they leave.