If National wins ...

[macduffy]

I thought that Annette King's comment this morning was a tad incredulous. Something along the lines of "One of our members has resigned to take another job opportunity - so the government should call an early election."

[BlackPeter]

Well for a start perhaps the 10000 people who voted for the National Party Mt Eden candidate in the 2014 Election .

They will have later in 2017 an opportunity to vote for a candidate worthwhile voting for ... and than for a full term, not just for a quick trip to Wellington to finish the term before they started to do some work ...

[fungus pudding]

Well for a start perhaps the 10000 people who voted for the National Party Mt Eden candidate in the 2014 Election .

Why would they care? It's not a general election. There is no point in standing in a by-election in that electorate for any party but Labour. Otherwise it's va waste of money for all parties, and with only a short period to the general election. If the monocle was on the other eye, Labour would do the same.

[Sgt Pepper]

Why would they care? It's not a general election. There is no point in standing in a by-election in that electorate for any party but Labour. Otherwise it's va waste of money for all parties, and with only a short period to the general election. If the monocle was on the other eye, Labour would do the same.

Unconvincing

[dobby41]

Well, yes - the handful of Labour supporters in NZ. Given that it is Labour imposing the absolutely unnecessary cost of a by election less than a year before the next general election on the country (for no good reason other than p..sing off their own MP's), they hoped they can find somebody else to share the shame for being huge wasters of taxpayers money.

Good to see National didn't take the bait. Fight the battles which matter.

I thought a by election was necessary if the seat becomes vacant more than 6 months prior to the general election?
Is there any other option than hold the by election?
Labour are not allowed to just have a caretaker MP in the seat.
If Labour stood the only candidate (ie no one constested the seat) is an election still necessary or do they win by default without the need for a ballot?

[fungus pudding]

I thought a by election was necessary if the seat becomes vacant more than 6 months prior to the general election?
Is there any other option than hold the by election?
Labour are not allowed to just have a caretaker MP in the seat.
If Labour stood the only candidate (ie no one constested the seat) is an election still necessary or do they win by default without the need for a ballot?

That's an interesting question. A by-election is required but surely logic would apply and if the parties all grew up and admit nobody but Labour will win the seat, they'd all gain some respect. Tell the chief returning officer that all but Labour are conceding - and surely that would be that! They'd save their own parties funds and the taxpayers' as well.

[BlackPeter]

I thought a by election was necessary if the seat becomes vacant more than 6 months prior to the general election?
Is there any other option than hold the by election?
Labour are not allowed to just have a caretaker MP in the seat.
If Labour stood the only candidate (ie no one constested the seat) is an election still necessary or do they win by default without the need for a ballot?

Not sure about MP's. However in local politics (like community boards), if there is only one candidate, this candidate is automatically elected. Would make sense for MP's as well, but I guess we will find out ...

[dobby41]

but surely logic would apply

The law will apply - logic has nothing to do with it.

[fungus pudding]

The law will apply - logic has nothing to do with it.

Appointing an unopposed candidate in an election is normal practice and, unless the rules are drafted to specifically exclude that, it should happen. Of course, there would always be some lunatic who would stick his or her name down as an independent to stuff it all up.

[Sgt Pepper]

Appointing an unopposed candidate in an election is normal practice and, unless the rules are drafted to specifically exclude that, it should happen. Of course, there would always be some lunatic who would stick his or her name down as an independent to stuff it all up.

I know, isn,t democracy a nuisance