Wellington Central

I went to meet the candidates at the Aro Valley Community Centre.
What a great night's entertainment. The Wellington Central candidates - Stephen Franks (ACT), Michael Appleby (ALCP), Kane O'Connell (Alliance), Stephen Hay (Anti-Capitalist Alliance), Sue Kedgeley (Greens), Marion Hobbs (Labour), Bernard Darnton (Libertarianz), Mark Blumsky (National), David Somerset (Progressive) and Fiona McKenzie (United Future) - and party representatives Morrie Love (Maori) and Coralie Leyland (Democrats) - each spoke for 4 minutes on their respective party's policies.

Heckling and humour were the order of the evening. My favourite line was in response to Progressive candidate David Somerset talking about the Wellington inner city bypass. He described it as "a dinosaur from another era" - to which a wit in the audience quipped, "like your party's leader".

Audience questions were plentiful. The last two questions of the night were revealing: "If your party did not exist, which party would you vote for?" and (to the Wellington Central candidates only) "If you weren't standing, which candidate would you vote for?"

Candidates (in speaking order) and their answers are below.
(Ever wondered why the Greens like STV? Now you know!)

	Party vote: Labour Candidate vote: Marion Hobbs
	Party vote: Green
	Party vote: None Candidate vote: Marion Hobbs
	Party vote: None Candidate vote: Michael Appleby
	Party vote: United Future Candidate vote: Stephen Franks
	Party vote: Green Candidate vote: Stephen Hay
	Party vote: Green Candidate vote: Sue Kedgeley
	Party vote: Green Candidate vote: Kane O'Connell
	Party vote: None Candidate vote: None
	Party vote: National Candidate vote: Bernard Darnton
	Party vote: Green
	Party vote: Green Candidate vote: Sue Kedgeley