Out of the blue, ACT Deputy Leader and Parliamentary Leader John Boscawen has announced he is withdrawing from the party’s list. He’ll still run for ACT in Tamaki but he has no chance of winning. This means that, incredibly, none of ACT’s sitting MPs will in the running to return next term.
It’s an odd departure from an odd man. Why now and why not quit altogether?
‘Family reasons’ is the line. Not exactly creative.
Is the real reason for this sudden departure National’s ‘fixit’ Bill? Boscawen is a true believer in ACT’s libertarian principles and doesn’t do compromise, doesn’t understand it.
The Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) (AKA Rule of Law Repeal) Bill is a brutal and unjustified attack on basic liberty by a government that has repeatedly shown contempt for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Was being asked to sign a retrospective blank cheque the final straw?
It’ll be interesting to see which of the ACT MPs, none of whom have anything to lose, stand by their stated principles and vote against the Bill next week.
Come to think of it, Simon Power has principles and is leaving Parliament at the end of this term too…
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