Vanquished MPs ponder life outside Parliament

Former MP Mike Ward blows out candles on his farewell cake, surrounded by Green Party colleagues, from left, Rod Donald, Nandor Tanczos, Sue Bradford and Jeanette Fitzsimons. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Not many ousted MPs have managed the exquisite timing of Mike Ward, the Green MP and artist who was defeated on election night, only to win the grand prize at the Wearable Arts Award the following Friday.

With $10,000 in travel and $14,000 in spending money in his pocket, he is certain he will be able to find somewhere "quite nice", he noted at his farewell to the Green caucus in Wellington yesterday.

Having had only three years in Parliament, Mr Ward is unlikely to have had trouble adjusting to his previous life immersed in the Nelson art world.

"I've got some stories to write. I've got some lovely stuff to make. I'd love to leave some really big sculpture lying around," he said.

He would like to write "some philosophical stuff, some political stuff, some personal stuff and some kids stories".

Some departing and opinionated MPs have gone on to make an even bigger name for themselves in broadcasting, as talkback hosts or commentators - most notably Michael Laws, John Banks, Pam Corkery, who returned to it, and Willie Jackson.

Labour's departing John Tamihere already has a talkshow on Sundays and commentates on Newstalk ZB. Likewise former Act leader Richard Prebble has become an instant ex-statesman, commenting chirpily on many mediums.

But former Act MP Stephen Franks issued a mournful newsletter "Unfranked", laying bare his misery at being "dumped from the most challenging and worthwhile work I've ever done".

He planned to go back into legal practice but tells his readers "I'm welcoming more interesting offers".

While the ability to sack rulers was defining strength of democracy, he observed, "Nevertheless rejection hurts and the silver lining is only aluminium foil".

Contrary to folklore, he said, for MPs like himself elected after 1996 there was no continuing travel entitlement and no pension.

"Rejection pales beside the melancholia of long days tossing out files," he lamented. "There are so many files I had under way."

Now no one cared what he thought about anything and his mantra was now "let it go", a mantra that would fail, however.

Mr Franks said he would upgrade his website and maintain a commentary on legal issues.

His former Act colleague Gerry Eckhoff sounded a lot more chipper yesterday, and said he had a "spring in his step" as he prepared to get stuck into farm politics and a tenure review of South Island pastoral leases affecting him and about 300 other farmers.

Mr Eckhoff has returned to his 2400ha property at Roxburgh where he runs sheep and cattle.

He said he hadn't decided where his future lay but was preparing to make a submission in Dunedin today to valuers undertaking the review.

He believes the review has the potential "to rid the South Island of pastoralism which is a huge part of the culture of the South Island".

Christchurch-based former United Future MP Marc Alexander will not go back to his former job as professional chef.

He would prefer something in line with his law and order spokesmanship as an MP, working with the Sensible Sentencing Trust, neighbourhood support groups and in the field of victims rights which, he said, ignited his passion.