I’m not standing for Act

Thursday, 5 May 2011

By Cameron Brewer – Auckland Councillor for Orakei

“As much as I enjoyed the speculation, I won’t be standing as the Act candidate for Tamaki at the forthcoming general election

At 38 years of age I’m not in any rush to get to Wellington. I worked in Parliament for four years. One day I’d probably like to go back, but certainly not yet. I’ve got quite a lot of things I want to achieve at Auckland Council and frankly Parliament’s not a lifestyle I aspire to. We have a daughter, Lucy, who’s nearly six and I think she needs me more in Auckland than the Act Party needs me in Wellington.

Over the next few years I’m really keen to earn my stripes as the Councillor for Orakei. Let’s not forget I’ve only had six months in the job. I need to actually get some runs on the board. What’s more I don’t think I could cope with waving at rush-hour traffic on Tamaki Drive so soon after my last campaign!

I’m really enjoying holding this centre-left Auckland Council to account. I’m keen to build a reputation as someone who’s out there trying to save the ratepayer from silly council spending and exposing dumb decisions.

While I’m an independent councillor, I remain a member of the National Party after joining the Young Nats in Dunedin when Jim Bolger was Prime Minister. National and its people have been good to me.

I was a political press secretary to Jenny Shipley, John Banks and Rodney Hide before my five years with the Newmarket Business Association.

However with over 81,000 constituents in the Orakei ward, my loyalty now lies with the local ratepayers. After all, many of them broke tradition and backed me last October. I’m determined to be a senior councillor supporting a centre-right council from 2013. That would be the best career move I could make for the people of Orakei.

Please keep in touch via www.cameronbrewer.co.nz or follow me on Facebook.”
Ends

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