Greens tone down the quirkiness "Political Week - By TRACY WATKINS - The Dominion Post"

OPINION: Reports of the Green Party's near demise have, it seems, been greatly exaggerated. The latest polls show the party cruising comfortably in the polls despite the departure of the Earth Mother of the Nation, Jeanette Fitzsimons.
The Government seems close to bowing to public pressure over its plans to mine Great Barrier Island and Coromandel in the face of a sustained anti-mining campaign, and the success of that campaign has clearly washed over the parliamentary wing of the Green movement.

The latest One News Colmar Brunton poll suggests it is even picking up disaffected National voters, to the point where its support is now higher than at the last election. That will buoy the party faithful as they head for Christchurch this weekend for their annual conference minus many familiar faces.

Update from Kennedy Graham, MP: April/May 2009

Having welcomed itself into existence and got over its seizure of urgency for 100 days, the 49th Parliament is now into normal stride. The Government has concentrated on ‘tough on crime’ legislation and its financial stimulus package – both measures attempting but failing to appear politically potent. Labour continues to flounder and rediscover itself as Helen Clark and Michael Cullen walk through the exit-door and Phil Goff struggles to stay centrestage.

ACT becomes increasingly irrelevant and the Maori Party is riven with dissension over its Faustian bargain in government. The Green Party continues to define itself as separate from Labour, genuinely independent and offering an alternative political-economic philosophy that is qualitatively different and right for the times.

Final Statement before Election

Dear Ilam Residents and all fellow Kiwis,
We are coming to the end of an exciting and, I believe a productive, election campaign.
It has been a privilege to stand as the Green Party candidate for Ilam.
I think, and trust, that we have effectively put our message across with vision and inspiration.
We are asking voters, this Saturday, to think of the planet and our children, as you cast your vote.
With your help, by choosing to PARTY VOTE GREEN, we can make the changes that are needed.
Change for the world, for our country, for ourselves.
Thanks for checking into my blog.
I hope that I have the opportunity, and the honour, to serve you in Parliament.
Sincerely,
Ken Graham

Ken gives his speech to the 2008 Green Party Annual Conference

Party Vote Green in ‘08

In this blog, my main message is to encourage you to cast your Party Vote for the Greens. While I shall appreciate individual votes for me in the Ilam Electorate where I am standing, the critical thing is for you to “Party Vote Green”.

Under our MMP voting system, we need a minimum of 5% of the total popular vote for the Greens to be represented in Parliament at all. A 5% popular vote gives us 6 MPs which is what we currently have. Roughly speaking, we gain one additional MP for every 1% additional popular vote we receive.

Given the strong ‘greening’ of the public mood in our country and elsewhere today, I believe it is possible for the Greens to capture at least 10% of the popular vote, provided we successfully convey what I believe to be true – that we have matured over the years into a responsible party able and ready to participate in government.

Our four main principles (ecological wisdom, social responsibility, appropriate decision-making and non-violence) surely comprise the most relevant and effective approach to ensuring a sustainable country – and planet. See 'Informative Websites' section to the right for the Green Party’s website which contains our Charter, its principles and other information on our activites.

Opening Campaign Meeting April '08

Greens Co-leader, Jeanette Fitzsimons, addresses Ilam opening campaign meeting. Ilam candidate Ken Graham looks on

Ilam Green Candidate Selection

On 18 February Dr. Kennedy Graham was unanimously elected to represent the Ilam Green Party as a candidate for the NZ General Election 2008. Congratulations and well done, Ken!
Lee & Dennis

Selection Speech 18th Feb 2008