Nice... that was smooth!

Haha, Auckland pwns the rest of the country.

we certainly did!!

I thought Biddy was Liz Shaw for a moment.

Fuck, Northcote really should've gone to Labour (Ann Hartley). Let's hope next election Shore Labour can get more credit for working their arses off over there.

EDIT: In terms of analysis of minor parties from someone (myself) who is fascinated by them and reads every single newspaper report I can ever see about non-two major party parties:

New Zealand First: Actually a fucking good result in terms of National party vote when you look at it objectively considering National took a lot of the vote off them, but I think in reality a lot has changed. Winston has moved rightwards in social policy but leftwards in economic policy since last election, and I think they now have actually got themselves a pretty firm base of support (Still mostly consisting of lower middle class/working class + eldery voters: 'the bluejeans and blue dyes' as Mike Moore once characterised their support base of consisting of) considering how utterly terrible their campaign was. Maori support for NZ First is still in existence, but this election is the first time that they've been in a difficult situation and gotten their shit together (last election when they got 13% was simply because it was-anyone-on-the-right-but-National).
Tauranga a spectacular loss, but it had to happen. He'll win it back next time.

United Future: Alright performance, though the party themselves thought they'd do a lot better than they did: now only get the votes of Christians apparently. Massively down on last elections numbers, but they haven't got any balance of power, so PEter Dunne is clearly very angry. My mum during one of the debates saying "I'm really starting to get sick of Peter Dunne" really characterised the national response to him.

ACT: Total fluke they got another MP (Roy) after Rodney won Epsom, but his campaign there (which I was constantly being bombarded by) was the hardest campaigning I have ever seen done in my life. I was quite amazed that people actually responded positively to the huge amounts of pamphlets, letters and phone calls that got around the electorate: it proves that money can get you seats in parliament.

Maori Party: They could've done better, as NZ First proved in 1996. However, I guess a solid performance considering Maori realised that they're actually a pack of pyschotic fucks who are actually willing to do a deal with the Grand Old Enemy of the Maori, National.

Greens: Did well considering the massive switch of left wing votes to Labour to make sure there was a left wing government, plus their strong support among students probably mostly moving to Labour, and their support among Maori probably shifted a bit to the Maori party too (for the non-aligned anti-Labour anti-National Maori). In special votes they'll probably gain another seat I imagine, if Labour or the Progressive don't.

Progressives: What can you say, they just missed out on a second seat. Amazed they still get 24,000 voters.

Destiny: 12,000 = 0.61% = shit result. Hopefully Brian Tamaki realises soon God is not on his side.

No, I disagree with that statement about Rodney and Epsom. People would have voted strategically to ensure that Act remained in parliament. Without Act, National has no hope in hell of forming a government.

The Maori party did very well at this election to get in 4 MPs considering they have been around for less than 3 years. That is a very pleasing result for Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia.

The Greens are unlikely to pick up another seat at this election.

^Okay, I'm now convinced that this is Liz Shaw.

You obviously have no idea how our MMP system works.

So am I. Exactly the same views and syntax as ever. Mods?

The ultimate test:

Biddy what is your opinion on short skirts?

no opinion on short skirts otheer than people should be free to wear what they desire.

I am Liz Shaw, why bother denying the truth.

MMP works relatively well in this country but this year it was very much an FPP style of voting which the two major parties getting the majority of the seats in parliament.

not in epsom it wasnt.

I've suspended Liz for a day, I'll wait to see if Fez wants to ban her, which he almost certainly will.

I gots beaten to the chase, liz if you want to come back I have thought of a way you could stay without having to keep coming back with multiple accounts.

don brash concedes defeat

don brash has all but conceded defeat in this election. instead of staying in nz to talk with coalition partners, reliable sources inform me that he is booking an overseas holiday. we can only conclude that he has given up any hope of winning the election and wants some time alone with his family

watch this space