Mayoral Meeting Goes Haywire

The "Anti Debate" meeting for mayoral candidates, held at Shadows Bar on by the Auckland University Students Association last night, deteriorated into an extraordinary fracas in its closing minutes.

David Hay, who had been attending a meeting in Botany earlier in the evening, was given a 30 second speaking slot at the end of the meeting. Mayoral candidates Alezix Heneti and Adam Holland objected vehemently.

Ms Heneti shouted repeatedly "You pulled out. You don't deserve the right to be here", while Mr Holland provided a running commentary of events, interspersed with cries of "Allahu Akbar!"

Mr Hay said of the events: "I'd like to thank the AUSA executive, who were very kind and concerned for my welfare. But actually I thought of this as political theatre: it's the most interesting thing to happen in the campaign so far. The situation was utterly bizarre, but not completely out of control. I didn't fear for my own safety, or that of others."

"At a meeting in Botany, earlier in the evening, I stood down from the mayoral candidates panel. Instead, I gave a short speech, explaining that I had not formally 'withdrawn' from the mayoral race by urging my support for Phil Goff, and how Auckland's inadequate voting system had influenced my decision."

"I intended to make a similar short statement at Shadows, but did not have the opportunity."

"Our current voting system means that every vote for a candidate who does not win, or does not stand a realistic chance of winning, is a wasted vote. That's unfair to voters."

"It is also unfair to candidates who want the best for Auckland. We each think we would be best, of course. But also need to think about what would happen if we didn't win: which of the other candidates would be the best mayor for Auckland?"

"I am a political realist. I know my chances of winning are slim. Yesterday I announced my support for Phil Goff as the best of the candidates who have a realistic chance of winning. If we had Single Transferable Vote, I would not have done that. Last night's fracas would not have happened."

"Single Transferable Vote is fairer for voters, fairer for candidates, and better for democracy. We need to change the voting system in Auckland." said Mr Hay'

VIDEO OF THE FRACAS ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://youtu.be/c_wsfQAp8f8

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