Labour and Christchurch East

So the worse-kept secret in Christchurch is out, and Lianne Dalziel is officially running for mayor. Which means a by-election of she wins, which in turn requires a Labour candidate. So naturally, Labour are talking about parachuting Clayton Cosgrove - a man without a connection to the area, but with a very strong connection to David Shearer - into the seat, so they can in turn get Kelvin Davis - another man with a strong connection to David Shearer - in off the list.

This encapsulates everything that is wrong with the Labour Party: taking their voters for granted, treating their support like a gift from the leadership rather than something which must be won, and the infection of everything with their petty internal politics. And then they wonder why people treat them with contempt? We're only returning the favour...

But then, I'm not a member of Labour, and I don't live in Christchurch East, so I don't really have a stake in this except insofar as I'd like Labour to grow up and pull their weight rather than leaving everything to the Greens. For the views of people who do have a stake, I recommend Rebuilding Christchurch and Emma Hart. Needless to say, they're not impressed either.