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National’s deputy leader has kept Ilam’s electorate in Christchurch for more than two decades, but the Labor challenger may topple him this year.
Gerry Brownlee has been an MP for Ilam since the electorate was created in 1996, but he may lose it on Saturday night as he follows Labor’s Sarah Pallett.
With 28 percent counted as of 8.15 p.m., Pallett has 10,596 votes compared to 8,113 for Brownlee.
At the National Party function in Christchurch, there was a healthy divide between the chatters and the fans who watched a Newshub live broadcast intently.
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The event was held in a central city location, but the venue’s owner asked the media to refrain from naming it as a condition of attendance.
Steven Walton / Stuff
National Deputy Leader and current Ilam MP Gerry Brownlee arrives at the party’s election night event in Christchurch.
The atmosphere in the room was not electric, but the chatter among the fans continued to drow out any clear audio from the great live broadcast projected.
Among the gathering of supporters, there were two large monitors showing the results of the Electoral Commission website.
Brownlee arrived shortly before 8 pm and was told by a reporter that the numbers at Ilam weren’t looking good for him or National, admitting “no, they aren’t.”
He said the party was in a good mood, but he always knew it was going to be a difficult road.
“You let the voters decide who they want to represent them, and that’s democracy.”
Brownlee said he will wait until 40 percent of the votes have been counted to be sure of the outcome.
“I don’t think anything has gone wrong with the campaign.”
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Udith Collins and Gerry Brownlee in a standup during a visit to Tait Communications in Christchurch during the election campaign.
He said national leader Judith Collins campaigned “extremely well,” and the campaign by party candidates across the country was “as good as I’ve ever seen.”
“It has been difficult to raise some of the issues that we think voters should consider for what they want in the next three years.”
“It is what it is, it is one of those things, it happens in politics.”
He told Newshub that it would be a “very good idea” for Collins to remain leader after the election. Regarding his role as deputy director, he said the party “will regroup fairly quickly and make a decision on where to go from here.”
Brownlee is best known in Christchurch for his time as the Minister of Earthquake Recovery, and his legacy, both positive and negative, comes down to the city’s residential red light district and the rebuilding of downtown.
He once referred to former Christchurch mayor Sir Bob Parker as a “clown” for comments about possible rate increases and accused critics of the reconstruction of “whining and complaining.” His public tolerance for dissenting opinions was never high.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Sarah Pallett, Labor candidate for Ilam, leads Gerry Brownlee in early voting.
Pallett, a midwifery teacher who is ranked 62 on the Labor list, said she was cautious and level-headed at this early stage.
“We are obviously happy to see him, but really aware that it is the beginning of the night and there is a long way to go.”
When asked if she was surprised by the result so far, Pallett said: “All the time it has taken a lot of work, but it is the first few days and we do not count our chickens.
“We’re keeping our heads and we’re really excited about what we’re seeing so far.”
More optimistic was Labor campaign manager and Wigram candidate Megan Woods.
“It’s certainly exciting for the team to watch.”
Labor was also winning the party’s vote on the National in Ilam with 8,073-5,481 at 8.15pm.
