The Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bill passed its third reading tonight, 62-59, with ACT splitting its vote (Hide voting with rednecks Garrett and Boscawen to ensure National had the numbers regardless of what Peter Dunne did). So, in a couple of days time, Michael Laws will be able to dictate what people wear in Wanganui, and fine them $2,000 if they refuse to conform to his fashion sense.
(Anyone able to hack Dead Kennedys lyrics? "Wanganui Über Alles" has a nice ring to it...)
As for hide, he justified his sudden swing to fashion fascism with this:
"The wearing of a patch on your jacket is intimidation of law-abiding citizens," he decidedHmmmm....
Well, there's definitely a patch on that jacket, and its designed to intimidate with threats of tax cuts, asset sales, school vouchers and a privatised health system - "drowning government in the bathtub", to use Grover Norquist’s cute little phrase. Does this mean that Hide will be avoiding Wanganui?