PUFFED UP
As Labour begins the long process of rebuilding, it seems other people are having trouble coming to terms with the election outcome. More than 9000 have signed an online petition calling on Electoral Commission president Sir John Williams to hold a recount, because they believe the election was "rigged". There is probably more reason to be concerned about the MallowPuffs Original being voted the favourite Griffin's biscuit in a landslide victory, as part of an advertising stunt. Non-chocolate biscuit lovers smell a rat.
It isn't only some on the left who are still a bit delusional over the election result: the Act Party has proclaimed that it held the Epsom seat because of its "strong brand". So strong that it produced fewer than 15,000 party votes.MORE FOR LESSTiming is everything, they say, and eyebrows were raised high when Chorus shareholders learned that the company plans to ask them at their annual meeting next month to increase directors' fees. After a series of knockbacks in the company's ongoing -- and losing -- battle with the Commerce Commission, plus dividends being frozen, more than one shareholder has been muttering that the company should be seeking a fee cut, not a rise.
FIRST DAY OF TERM
The latest batch of new MPs went to Parliament this week for their orientation. They were greeted by Parliamentary staff wearing "ask me" T-shirts, and security guards clutching photos to avoid a repeat of embarrassing non-recognition incidents from the past. Behind the scenes, the battle for offices promises to be as brutal as the battle for votes.
