Who I’m Voting For This Election
Well, I was asked this at the last election in 2023 and I’m regularly being asked this election period.
Who am I voting for.
I’ve had lots of emails either telling me who to vote for, or telling me who they’re voting for and why I should also.
Even Facebook profiles can be changed to announce who you’re voting for.
So I thought I would get in on the scene and tell you who I’m voting for in this important General Election.
I don’t want to miss out. I’m sick of posting photos of what I had for breakfast, and what we ordered at the restaurant yesterday and what it looked like when it arrived on the table.
It’s time for some meat. Pardon the pun.
This is an important election.
And voting starts next Monday. Yes – Labour day. That’s got to be some illegal marketing or skullduggery by the Labour party. Surely?
It’s a real challenge working this through though, isn’t it.
There are some parties who have individual candidates who do a grand job at representing the social conservative voice in parliament.
And there are also some individual party policies which could uplift and strengthen families and marriages and the moral fabric of our society.
National has some individual MPs who are very good social conservatives – and there are also some national party candidates who fit that description and might win a seat in parliament.
ACT have some family-friendly policies, but on the whole, they have not voted conservatively on important issues around abortion, euthanasia, banning so-called ‘conversion therapy’ law and they’re a bit wobbly on the whole gender ideology issue. Plus one of their candidates high on their party list has actually said that they’re not interested in the social conservative message.
So… we should probably take him at his word eh.
Both National and ACT are fiscally conservative as a party. Limited government spending, low taxes, balanced budgets, and reduced public debt. They’re more business- and free market-friendly – but that doesn’t mean they’re socially conservative.
That doesn’t mean they will promote strong marriages & strong families as the foundation of a strong nation.
Perhaps they can’t even make or understand that important connection.
Maybe they can’t even define marriage correctly.
And what about NZ First? Winston is up there with a number of other MPs (including a couple of National MPs) as one of the most socially conservative voters – but he will have a list MP Michael Laws who is a big proponent of euthanasia, but then again they will also have Alfred Ngaro who will be championing the Judaeo-Christian DNA of New Zealand.
And they’re not exactly fiscally conservative. Have a look at some of their promises and how much they’re going to cost.
But can we forgive Winston for that decision in 2017 when he effectively made Jacinda Ardern our PM for those next 5 years, and then Hipkins, when Jacinda saw the writing on the wall – or the plummeting Labour party vote.
And then there’s a couple of smaller social conservative parties who have some good policies but are struggling to get media coverage and oxygen in this election campaign and are therefore struggling to get anywhere near the passmark of 5% under our MMP voting system.
I bet there’s probably no party that ticks all the boxes for you. Maybe some individual candidates, but no party as a whole.
Sometimes I’ve had to vote on the basis of “this party will do harm, but this party may do good”.
Sometimes I’ve had to vote for a party that isn’t perfect – but it’s better than the alternative. Perhaps way better.
And then there’s the whole strategic voting thing – and playing the political left at their own game.
And then I also think – well, who do the legacy media seem to be supporting and campaigning for. Because that’s a party or parties that I probably should stay clear of, if the media are cheering for them.
And the good news is that I’m registered to vote. It wasn’t hard. I also need to organise myself to have my passport up to date to travel anywhere overseas and can’t just turn up at the airport demanding a seat on a plane. I need to book my dentist and GP in advance to get the appointment, and I even managed to organise myself to buy tickets for that concert that my wife really wanted to go to. Chloe and Hipkins said I should be able to just turn up on the day of the appointment or concert and demand my seat. But I’m happy to take responsibility and initiative and register myself in advance.
Very easy.
Soooo – after weighing up all those factors, I’ve come to my decision which I want to share with you.
You will probably be a little surprised by my decision.
I’m actually a swing voter. I’ve figured out that I’ve voted for five different parties in either the electorate or the party vote over the past 30 years. Five different parties.
I used to be indecisive – but now I’m not quite sure.
I might split my vote – or maybe I won’t.
When I enter the polling booth on Saturday 7 November (because it’s a ritual to do it on the day), when I enter the polling booth….
I will be voting for
