Polling is not always right

Over the last three weeks our campaign has been buoyed by papers tipping an election win for frontrunner Len Brown. I am certainly hoping that will be the result but at the end of the day it is about voting not polls.

In the week after the 2004 election I had a lot of phone calls from friends. One “mate” explained that he was so sure that I would bolt in that he had not bothered to vote!!

So at this time we are ignoring the papers and the polls. The feedback we are getting from the doors and the streets is good but it is essential for this to translate to voting support. Let’s not be like my old mate and be over-confident at this point. We saw the result of this on the TV screens on Sunday morning. I believe that we need to make sure firstly that we have voted and secondly make sure all other supporting votes are in too. Each vote could be the one that makes the difference on the day and 14 October is too late.

Are you a celebrity?

I was door knocking in Botany on Friday and three young girls came walking down the street. They saw the car with all the signs on it and said, “Are you Len Brown?” I fessed up and then one asked “Are you a celebrity?” I had a good laugh, and asked her what she meant. She explained that she had seen my signs up all around the place, therefore I must be some type of celebrity. Good lesson about how public image needs to be managed, how important it is to engage with the people of our city in a down to earth manner and to remember that you are there to do a job on their behalf.

Family

As this campaign enters the last week I wish to reflect on how lucky I have been to have the support of my wife Shan and three daughters over what has really been a four year campaign. We have also had wonderful support from Shan’s mum Shirley who lives with us. My father Tom and my four sisters have also been hugely supportive as have been our three daughters Samantha, Olivia and Victoria. During the course of the last election, Victoria innocently asked me, “Will you still be my daddy if you become the Mayor?” Again another lesson from the young – that in the event of becoming the Mayor, it is important that I remain “Victoria’s daddy”.

I could not contemplate for one second this job without Shan’s support. She has been a loving and supportive wife to me and a wonderful mother for the children.

In the last week

My regards to you all. Well done to those who have voted. To those who have not, it’s time to vote and post!

Len Brown,

Mayoral Candidate, Manukau City,2007.

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