PM’s public forums

The Timaru Herald reports:

“I like Allan Hubbard”.

That’s what Prime Minister John Key told an audience of more than 350 people at a public forum in Timaru’s Caroline Bay Hall last night.

Mr Key spent 90 minutes answering a number of questions, ranging from the earthquakes to the economy to the environment. However, for parts of the meeting he had to weather a barrage of interjections from staunch Allan Hubbard supporters.

Staunch is an under statement. With some of them, you gain the impression that if Mr Hubbard was filmed hacking a dozen pre-schoolers to death with a machete, they’d insist he did nothing wrong.

Mr Key answered questions from all comers at the event, hosted by the Timaru Herald.

He replied to questions from Timaru Herald readers about topics ranging from his renewal of a contract for BMWs, to taxes, the Tuhoi terror raids, asset sales and earthquake recovery.

After the meeting, Mr Key was mobbed by people who wanted to get their picture taken with him.

Key has done at least a couple of these in Christchurch also, hosted by The Press. I think giving citizens the opportunity to hold the Prime Minister to account, is very important. I hope these forums will become a permament feature of politics in New Zealand.