Banks in the lead

Despite being 6% behind John Banks (who he beat by 19,000 votes last time), Dick Hubbard seems to be in denial insisting voters were not unhappy with his performance.

Yeah, it’s just a random swing.

The left in Auckland are in dire straits.  Their de facto leader Hubbard has been a weak leader.  Their main brand of City Vision is damaged, and as incumbents they bear the wrath of residents over huge rates rises, fighting over water fee increases and everything that has gone wrong the past three years.

However just as there is a golden opportunity for the incompetents to be booted from office, infighting in the centre right could be the saviour for Hubbard and City Vision.  A centre right ticket led by Steve Crow won’t possibly win, but may get enough votes to save City Vision in a few wards. Likewise if Alex Swney stands, knowing that John Banks is leading Hubbard, then Hubbard will be the most likely beneficiary.

It will be an interesting contest to watch.