I'm hoping to stand for parliament

I've always been a supporter of Peter Dunne. He is my MP and has done great things for the electorate in Ohariu. So when I read this I was interested:

Expressions of interest are sought from interested UnitedFuture members and supporters for selection as Parliamentary candidates for the General Election. Please contact secretary@unitedfuture.org.nz outlining whether you wish to be considered for both an electorate and a place on the party list, or for an electorate or list position only. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 15 April.

I think it would be good experience standing for Parliament. Having worked at Parliament, I know a bit about the place.I have no doubt that Peter Dunne will retain his seat after the election - probably with an increased majority - and so it is the party vote that will determine how many seats the party gets.

So I expressed my interest earlier this week. I encourage people to join UnitedFuture - its only $5.00

How weird is this?

No Right Turn points out that, according to the graphic for the latest Herald digipoll, [story here], the Christian Heritage Party - which disbanded in 2006 after leader Graham Capill's rape conviction- is polling 0.4%, ahead of both the Alliance and United Future. So, a party that doesn't exist is polling higher than a party headed by a Minister.

But it gets better.

The CHP's vote has doubled since April - and it is the only party to achieve that feat as well. [ Update: Not true, Act also did]. The CHP is currently the biggest polling party outside parliament - but its support will dramatically drop on election night!

I had a chat to Audrey Young to get a further breakdown of this month's poll. The combined support for the the Alliance, United Future, Jim Anderton's Progressives, and the Baldock/Copeland Kiwi Party is lower than the Christian Heritage party vote. Add to this the El Jefe's Pacific Party, and the Family Party (Destiny in drag) who didn't poll.

Collectively these six parties are polling lower than the CHP. They have three Ministers, one former Minister, an additional current MP and a former MP, whereas the CHP has never had an elected MP and doesn't even exist.

And, still, people want to vote for them. Now that's really weird. Even Audrey Young is baffled why, month after month, people indicate a CHP vote when asked "which party will you cast your party vote for if an election was held today?"

Update watch the Kiwi, Family, and United Future vote jump at the next big poll or the one after. If the former two get their act together and let everyone know who they are. Most people - even Christians - don't know the difference between Kiwi and Family parties.