In 2017 Hutt South elected a National MP for the first time ever and I’ve worked hard every day since then to live up to the faith shown in me. But it wasn't enough and on Saturday Hutt South returned to Labour with a massive swing. I worked as hard as I possibly could during the campaign to withstand it, but as they say, when the swing is on, it’s on. National polled just 22.8% of the party vote in the Hutt, with Labour polling 54.3% - nearly double the National vote.
A big thank you to the 16,531 people who voted for me (there are still thousands of special votes to count too), nearly double the number of people who party voted for National. I really appreciate your support and I’m sorry I couldn’t get over the line. I gave the campaign everything, and I honestly don't know what more we could have done.
Congratulations to Ginny Andersen, the new MP for Hutt South. I look forward to working with her as a List MP based in the Hutt, a role I fulfilled from 2014 to 2017. The Hutt has some big challenges ahead, and my intention is to be as constructive as possible with the new government, continue to work hard on local constituency work through my two offices in Wainuiomata and central Lower Hutt, and keep being an community-focused MP.
There is little point sugar coating things - Saturday night was very disappointing for the National Party. We have a lot of work to do rebuilding the party so we are in a good position to fight hard in 2023. The process of reflection has already started and if you have thoughts, comments, and ideas, then please let me know - I'm all ears!
The Labour Party now has a big mandate, and with a big mandate comes big expectation. I will be working hard locally and nationally to hold the government to account on their promises, and make sure they deliver for the Hutt. I will be pushing the government hard on transport and housing in particular. Watch this space for more from me on these issues!
Jenna and I are taking the next few days off to recharge the batteries after an intense couple of months (well, an intense year really), and I'm looking forward to the break. Parliament will likely sit towards the end of November, and then it'll be full tilt until Christmas. In the next couple of weeks the full election results will be declared with all the special votes counted (which don't usually favour National). The referendum results will be also be announced. At some point the PM will announce her new Ministry and our Leader Judith Collins will announce National's Opposition line-up to take on the government.
Enjoy the long weekend, and see you soon.
Chris
P.S My final campaign diary for Newsroom is here.
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| A special thank you to everyone who helped out on the Hutt South campaign this year! We had hundreds of people helping over the course of the last few months and our good result in the circumstances is down to their efforts. I’m deeply grateful for all the support shown to me and I honestly don’t know what more we could have done. It was truly a mammoth effort - we had hundreds of signs around the electorate, delivered tens of thousands of letters, leaflets and pamphlets, called thousands of people, and so much more. Thank you! |
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| Thank you to the person who left this on my windscreen while I was shopping at Pak ‘n Save Petone earlier this year. Much appreciated and I've had lots of messages like it. Really means a lot. |
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Thanks Jenna and Ladyhawke
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| A special shout out to the two special ladies in my life: Jenna and Ladyhawke. Always there for me through thick and thin, even at sub zero temperatures like on the Friday morning before the election! |
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Tough Guy and Gal Challenge
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Spent Friday morning (day before the election) marshalling at the Wainuiomata Tough Guy and Gal Challenge at Camp Wainui. Friday was the secondary schools (it’s run over four days). 6k course (some do 12k!) featuring running, barbed wire, nets, a mudpit and more. Brutal stuff. Reckon I might give it a go next year!
Each year the marshals are provided by the Wainuiomata Pioneer Church Preservation Society as their major fundraiser for restoration and maintenance of the beautiful historic church on the Coast Rd. |
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| ....everywhere the light touches is Hutt South. |
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| Did you see me on 7 Days a couple of days before the election? |
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Chris Bishop 
October 23, 2020
