Colin Craig to run in East Coast Bays – McCully sacrificed

Written By: - Date published: 3:18 pm, June 22nd, 2014 - 47 comments
Categories: conservative party, election 2014, national, same old national - Tags: ,

Well it is official.  In the pursuit of continued power and political expediency it appears that National will sacrifice Murray McCully so that Colin Craig and the conservatives can be in Parliament.  The particular form of sacrifice has not as yet been determined.

From the Herald:

Mr Craig confirmed his decision at the party’s campaign launch at Rangitoto College within the electorate. He has for some months been weighing up his choice between Rodney, Upper Harbour or East Coast Bays.

His own polling showing he stands no chance of making it into Parliament without National gifting him the seat.

This afternoon he said: “polling received this week showed my support is stronger in East Coast Bays than in Rodney”.

“This result was an important part of my decision.”

Mr McCully last week gave his strongest hint yet that he will oblige, telling journalists; “If you’re asking me whether I’m going to consider stepping aside if I’m asked to – look, I’ve always said that leaders and boards of parties do make strategic decisions.”

No doubt if Craig gets into Parliament and if National forms the next Government he will expect to be a Minister.  I wonder which position he will seek?  Minister of Woman’s affairs?  Science and Innovation?

And how will it occur?  I doubt that Craig would win if McCully was still on the ballot sheet.  It may be that National will eventually withdraw him from the ballot.

I expect that Craig will now tone down the rhetoric against his erstwhile opponent.  If he does not then this campaign will become truly bizarre.

This event should persuade all good progressives that now is the time to get out there and support whichever party of the left it is that you support.

47 comments on “Colin Craig to run in East Coast Bays – McCully sacrificed ”

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  1. Clean_power 1
    22 June 2014 at 3:24 pm

    A shameless, but maybe effective, move? Time will tell.

  2. Kiwiri 2
    22 June 2014 at 3:38 pm

    McCully put on the list, and when he takes up the pre-arranged post-Parliamentary job, his bye-bye will not trigger a by-election.

    Btw how much will his gold-plated superannuation be worth?

    • phillip ure 2.1
      22 June 2014 at 5:34 pm

      when told to..mccully will happily slither off to the well-paid sinecure (already) chosen by him..

      • Skinny 2.1.1
        22 June 2014 at 5:46 pm

        Muzza is not too happy about being booted to the list. Key & Goodfellow are giving him the big hint time to go. McCully is a liability hence keeping out of the NZ as much as possible. I would be very interested in a break down of costs that MM incurs on behalf of the tax payer. One can only guess how much Muzza and Jones burnt through on the recent Pacific Islands junket.

        • Tracey 2.1.1.1
          22 June 2014 at 8:12 pm

          mccully is one of the purveyors of the dark arts for national… he will only go quietly with a quid pro quo.

  3. Tiger Mountain 3
    22 June 2014 at 3:58 pm

    While the rhetoric and dirty tricks continue there is lots of work to do, as many of us know Micky. It is action that will help motivate people like Tamati’s dolphin rally and Mana’s “not another liquor shop” rally in Mangere.

    Barrack Obama regardless of his lacklustre performance since, got in by activating and engaging the grass roots, my view is the torys have got out their determined vote already (and it is not 50% plus either!), whereas the left has barely started. So yes keep focused on the big picture, there is room for just about everyone now with the range of parties available to the left of National.

    We can all point out failings in each parties policies but the thing now is to work our guts out as well as comment on blogs. I am preaching to the converted here as I know some of you personally, but the paid torys and other nuisances commenting on Labours travails can be a distraction.

    “Get out and vote”
    http://www.getoutandvote.org.nz
    this NZCTU campaign’s substantial work must be completed by the end of July, help people you know at work or in your neighbourhood, register on line and get your pack.

    Deny Key a third term is the strategic requirement.

    • Bearded Git 3.1
      22 June 2014 at 4:18 pm

      Yep Tiger-this is illustrated by the fact that nearly a quarter of the people in the recent and much quoted Ipsos pole were undecided. If they can’t stomach/haven’t decided to vote for Key by now my guess is they are looking for someone on the left to vote for.

  4. One Anonymous Bloke 4
    22 June 2014 at 4:12 pm

    So this will be the narrative for the next few days. Underlying this is National’s desperation: they know that any policy discussion will focus on their planned vandalism against workers rights which the criminal Banks was prevented from supporting, their education vandalism, their asset sales vandalism, their desire to smash the most vulnerable, their callous hatred of children born into poverty, their denial of poverty (and admittance of it in regards to Kiwisaver), their corrupt sale of access to ministers, their careless disregard for the environment, Simon Bridges, Judith Collins, Maurice Williamson, Gerry Brownlee, their monumental ideological incompetence in Christchurch, Hekia Parata. Novopay.

    All these issues and more, coming soon to a hustings near you but don’t expect to read about it in The Herald.

  5. Skinny 5
    22 June 2014 at 4:59 pm

    New Zealand has it’s share of God Botherer’s
    certainly enough to get over 5%, however thankgoodness Colin Craig comes across as a bit of a moonie which will keep his party below 5%. I can not see enough people in ECB actually voting for him regardless of what Key says.

    • Bearded Git 5.1
      22 June 2014 at 8:07 pm

      According to tv3 news tonight, it “understands” that there is no deal, McCully has not been sacrificed and Colon will have to beat him. He has no chance, especially if the Left tactical votes for McCully.

      I see 3% wasted vote for the Right here, and will raise a glass to that right now.

      Key is between a rock and a hard place here.

  6. Penny Bright 6
    22 June 2014 at 5:53 pm

    FYI – my considered opinion on Colin Craig and his Conservative Party:

    Sorry to pop the hot air balloon – but in my considered opinion, Colin Craig is NOT honest.

    I was a fellow Auckland Mayoral candidate in 2010, and asked him directly if he supported 35 year private water contracts.

    Colin Craig told me that he didn’t support 35 year private water contracts – but did support 5 year water contracts.

    Which means that in 2010, Colin Craig supported water privatisation, because private water contracts are the most common form of water privatisation.

    So – I find it rather dishonest/sneaky (?) – in my considered opinion, for Colin Craig and HIS Conservative Party to (apparently) oppose asset sales, (privatisation) when Colin Craig has previously confirmed support for water privatisation, via private water contracts?

    http://www.conservativeparty.org.nz/index.php?page=Issues

    Economy:
    …………………………………….
    No asset sales, no large land sales to foreigners, no ETS and free trade only if on a level playing field

    Another question which I have asked Colin Craig directly, and never had a straight answer, is what is his/ the Conservative Party policy on a Capital Gains Tax?

    Given Colin Craig’s position as a Director and the major shareholder of Centurion Management Services Ltd, which advertises ‘services to developers’, then surely his position on a Capital Gains Tax, is a serious and significant question?

    So – who else apart from me is asking it?

    ( Information about Centurion Management Services Ltd, from both their website and the Companies Office:

    http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/817427?

    backurl=%2Fcompanies%2Fapp%2Fui%2Fpages%2Fcompanies%2Fsearch%3Fmode%3Dstandard%26type%3D )

    http://www.centurion.co.nz/index.php?page=AboutUs

    No disrespect – but if the National Party were to ‘gift’ Colin Craig the East Coast Bays seat, in order for National to get their desperately-needed electoral support, in my view, that would be the biggest electoral rort of all.

    Why?

    Because Colin Craig and his ‘Conservative Party’ have NO proven political track record.

    What has Colin Craig ever achieved for the public, or the public interest?

    He’s stood for public office at election time, then sunk like a stone in a pond, without trace in between elections – in my view.

    It seems to me that Colin Craig polls people to find out what they want – then regurgitates back what they want to hear, hoping to effectively ‘kill two birds with one stone’ by particularly attracting voters from the NZ First constituency.

    But words are VERY cheap ………….

    It’s proven actions that count, and in my opinion, Colin Craig and his Conservative Party have yet to point a stick at ANYTHING which they have achieved by their ACTIONS for the public or the public good.

    If I’ve missed anything – please let me know ……

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’

    • Grumpy 6.1
      22 June 2014 at 5:55 pm

      At least he pays his rates.

      • felix 6.1.1
        22 June 2014 at 6:50 pm

        So nice to see the Right Wing upholding the right of citizens to make political protests. 🙄

        • millsy 6.1.1.1
          22 June 2014 at 7:16 pm

          If PB was as smart as she makes out she is she would have the money that she normally uses to pay her rates going into a seperate account and just sitting there, so that if and when her concerns are address, she can simply pay her arrears without any hassle.

          • freedom 6.1.1.1.1
            22 June 2014 at 8:39 pm

            1: how do you know Penny does not already do this?
            2: What business is that of anybody but Penny and the Council?

            • millsy 6.1.1.1.1.1
              22 June 2014 at 8:44 pm

              Hi Freedom,

              I wasnt judging her or anything, I was just making a suggestion.

              • freedom …
                22 June 2014 at 8:49 pm

                “If PB was as smart as she makes out she is” not judging huh?
                Do you agree this bit was completely unnecessary and appears very judgemental?

                • millsy …
                  22 June 2014 at 8:55 pm

                  Fair call. I would agree that I should have worded it a bit better.

                  Sorry, Penny 🙂

  7. millsy 7
    22 June 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Do we really want Colin Craig near the leader of power, the US style religous fundamentalism in our politics, where politicans start campaigning to ban things like sex toys and homosexuals from teaching?

    We should all be worried.

    And Colin Craigs groupie, Tanz, hasnt denied that she wants homosexuality recriminalised.

    That means one thing — all LGBT will be roughed up be Conservative Party brownshirts from September onwards.

    • BM 7.1
      22 June 2014 at 7:13 pm

      I agree, what sort of childhood would our kids be missing out on, if they don’t experience homosexuals waving large dildos in their faces.

      It would indeed be a tragedy, down with Colin Craig and his party of evil!!!!

      • millsy 7.1.1
        22 June 2014 at 7:23 pm

        “I agree, what sort of childhood would our kids be missing out on, if they don’t experience homosexuals waving large dildos in their faces.”

        I dont think I said anything about anyone outlawing the Catholic Church…??

      • Locus 7.1.2
        22 June 2014 at 7:55 pm

        this comment by BM and the comment by millsy are the kind of nasty prejudice that don’t add to any considered or considerate discussion

      • felix 7.1.3
        22 June 2014 at 7:55 pm

        Wow BM, and that just leapt out of you without any provocation at all. Always fascinating to see what’s bubbling just below the surface of a RWNJ’s skin.

        Sorry, did I say “fascinating”? I meant to say “entirely predictable and creepy”.

      • mickysavage 7.1.4
        22 June 2014 at 8:14 pm

        Wow BM I am not sure that I know how to respond to this. I have not heard of homosexuals waving large dildos in kids’ faces. Any proof? You are starting to descend into troll territory.

        • millsy 7.1.4.1
          22 June 2014 at 8:24 pm

          If anyone waved a large dildo in a child’s face, then I am sure they will be attracting the attention of the authorities, HLRA notwithstanding…

  8. risildowgtn 8
    22 June 2014 at 6:11 pm

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10187489/Colin-Craig-to-take-on-Murray-McCully

    Well well using a tom petty song .. hope they paid royalties.

    Craig, who took the stage to “I won’t back down” by Tom Petty, said he was unapologetic about the party’s hard line on crime.

    Tom Petty has been tweeted 🙂

    • mickysavage 8.1
      22 June 2014 at 8:15 pm

      Hehe.

      How ironic would that be if the leader of the Internet Party and the leader of the Conservative Party both had copyright problems …

    • Tracey 8.2
      22 June 2014 at 8:17 pm

      the right would NEVER breach copyright or condone such a breach. EXCEPT when they do it…

      cold play
      tom petty

  9. fisiani 9
    22 June 2014 at 8:20 pm

    National 49% plus Cons 3% = 52% plus ACT plus UF plus MP = super stable government

    • millsy 9.1
      22 June 2014 at 8:23 pm

      And Labour minister Jamie Whyte axes health and safety rules and freezes the min. wage, with Associate Education Minister Colin Craig wiping Darwin from the school curriculum and removing books about sex from our school libararies.

    • freedom 9.2
      22 June 2014 at 8:43 pm

      so to be clear fisiani ‘a five headed monster’ is better than ‘a monster with five heads’ ? 🙄

      • fisiani 9.2.1
        22 June 2014 at 10:09 pm

        A 5 headed government that does not need support partners is a reflection of a very stable government that does not require Ministers from other parties. Getting a 60% confidence and supply agreement bodes well for 2017, 2020 and beyond.

        • Weepu's beard 9.2.1.1
          22 June 2014 at 10:27 pm

          This “5-headed” government will have members who openly support creationism, misogyny, and incest. Is that the sort of government you want?

        • McFlock 9.2.1.2
          22 June 2014 at 10:35 pm

          A “5 headed government that does not need support partners”?
          Are you on drugs?

          • freedom 9.2.1.2.1
            22 June 2014 at 10:46 pm

            Fisiani seems unaware he has achieved a Pete George level of self-consuming relativism

          • fisiani 9.2.1.2.2
            22 June 2014 at 10:50 pm

            National could govern after 2011 with support from ACT and UF. John Key did not need the MP. He chose to do so even though he could have chosen not to. He was thinking about 2014 and 2017. The plan is for National to get a majority in September but form a government with 4 support parties. John Key thinks long term. The Cunliffe does not have a long term. The ABC’s are deciding whether to roll him now or on Sept 21st.

          • freedom 9.2.1.2.3
            22 June 2014 at 10:54 pm

            hey McFlock, do you think fisiani gets a cut rate on all the shovels he goes through ?

            • McFlock 9.2.1.2.3.1
              22 June 2014 at 10:58 pm

              I’m just worried he’s going to overdose on the unicorn farts he’s been sniffing.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10
    22 June 2014 at 8:32 pm

    I expect that Craig will now tone down the rhetoric against his erstwhile opponent. If he does not then this campaign will become truly bizarre.

    It’s got Colin Craig in it, ergo, it’s already truly bizarre.

  11. dimebag russell 11
    22 June 2014 at 10:24 pm

    only in New Zealand. why doesn’t hollywood send out some scriptwriters to get some ideas?

  12. sam 12
    23 June 2014 at 11:56 am

    Craig First is too crazy for the National and East Coast Bays and there will be no deal with the Conservatives.

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