Sorry - but why do you think Jim will stand aside to let Labour take over at the next election? He has been campaigning for a three year position as mayor, so he obviously feels quite able to commit to that. Has he said he's standing down if he doesn't win the mayoralty? And if so - has he said that recently?

Cool bananas (giving away my age...). So what are the key issues for Wigram?

Jack, I can endorse what Schu has said, he isn't suffering nor am I from split personality disorder... I am more than capable of voicing my own opinion. But I do like the support and honesty that SCHU provides.

Of course labour is quiet on this issue because they are paying for Jim's campaign to retire him from central government at the age of 72. They want an easy win in Wigram next time round... Maybe since JIM is stealing the limelight in the Mayoralty... I might stand as an Independent Candidate in Wigram.......

Jack #3 I'd like to let you know I'm not Brad Maxwell and have never met him, corresponded with him, or anything else that might make me partial or biased towards him in any way. I have visited his website and I did hear him talking to Mike Yardley on NTZB and felt Brad was a sensible and knowledgeable candidate. I have a teaching and social research background (semi-retired now) and am very interested in our city, its people, and its future. OK? I would hate anybody to think I'm someone's cronnie. I'm not. I'm well aware either Bob or Jim will win the election this time. Three years hence, maybe more people will think Brad or somebody else relatively unknown is a very serious choice. My main point in my earlier post, though I didn't say it directly enough perhaps (#1) was that if elected Jim should be full-time. As Wigram is unlikely to go National, I was taking it as if it can be taken for granted, Megan Woods would win Wigram for Labour. But on that too, I have no affiliation with anyone.

I wonder if schu is Brad Maxwell. Lol.

how convenient of Megan Woods to step down from standing for mayor to not split the left vote and will get handsomely rewarded for doing so by being the Labour candidate for this seat (which is Labour under Progressive guise at present). Glad to Jim and his friends looking after themselves. for this very reason I am not voting for Anderton -

I presume the Progressives will cease to exist, Jim will be ChCh mayor, and Megan will get elected as Labour Wigram MP.

After winning, if he does, Jim should stand down as MP and allow Megan to win in a byelection. Christchurch needs and deserves a full-time mayor, whether it is Jim, Bob, Brad Maxwell, or whoever.