Bevan Rapson: Bye bye Banksie, roll on next time

John Bank. Photo / Jason Dorday

Defeat is never fun, yet somewhere in Auckland's leafier suburbs a handful of citizens on the centre-right will see a bright side to the victories for Len Brown and the left.

One or two harbouring their own mayoral aspirations might even be quietly pleased that John Banks has gone, leaving the field open for a fresh face on the right in 2013.

For them, a little voice whispers, "Why not me?"

And look at recent history. In 2007, Auckland City put its faith in nice guy Dick Hubbard and a left-leaning council, only to turn back to Banks and co in 2007.

Brown faces many more challenges than did Hubbard. After a short honeymoon, issues like the standardisation of rates will be potential powderkegs. A local board could turn feral, a council-controlled organisation might not toe the line.

The centre-right will hope for Brown to melt down and for the left to splinter. Then it can play one of its favourite roles - the cavalry riding to our rescue with the promise of strong management and financial rectitude.

But Brown is no Hubbard. He's a seasoned politician and seems to take good advice. His inner circle ran a superior campaign, and after the credit card debacle must have told him to put away "Emotional Len" and play to his strength - the fact that he isn't Banks.

Brown needs to tap into the wisdom of experienced politicians on his council.

If he can get one or two centre-right figures onside, all the better, particularly if they buy into his rail plans.

On that issue, Transport Minister Steven Joyce's scepticism doesn't have to be a party pooper. Ministers come and go. And John Key for one will be wary of standing in the way of a united Auckland Mayor and council.

If all that money can be found for South Canterbury Finance, will the cupboard really be bare when it comes to Auckland's infrastructure?

Unlike Banks, Key and Brown do not make enemies they don't have to make. Their quiet optimism and folksy ways seem to suit the prevailing mood.

If Brown and his team get the basics right and keep their political antennas switched on, he might find the same centrist sweet-spot occupied by the Prime Minister.

If he does, even the most optimistic centre-right hopefuls will struggle to find a silver lining.