Chester's shoes are important ones to fill. One of Chester's best traits was his flexibility, occasioning independence from his own party's policies.
Initially supportive of National's plan to regionalise our hospital's obstetrics service, moving 400 expectant mothers 72km to Palmy, Chester Borrows changed his mind in response to the many constituents who took to the streets to express their concerns. Eventually he supported the "No"vote.
Although his shift may have looked like the expediency of reading political winds, I believe his reversal represented Chester's fundamental sense of fairness. It was clear that the burden would fall more heavily on young Maori mothers.
Not that he was lacking entirely in the political calculating that so embodies the fear-mongering and law-and-order dog-whistling of many politicians eager to score quick points.
Chester's effort was carrying the water into Parliament of Michael Laws' gang patch bylaw. This effort is no better captured than in the parliamentary debate on it: http://bit.ly/2wfOHc5, which is nearly as funny as Al Franken's book. And did I mention that Franken had been a professional comedian?
Borrows' singular achievement of that parliamentary session was saved from its own disastrous consequence by Judge Denis Clifford's tightly-reasoned decision declaring the bylaw invalid.
In law-making - as Franken tells it - you win some, you lose some, and some are thrown out by the judiciary who often take their job of finding a just answer seriously.
Chester Borrows' initial response to the marriage equality act was concerning, as he declared his opposition was rooted in his religious adherence as a deacon of his church. As he was elected to Parliament to represent everyone, not just those of his faith, that position seemed overtly discriminatory.
His open-mindedness was later confirmed as he changed his position when the facts warranted. The sky did not fall, contrary to the predictions of Garth McVicar, nor did his predicted crime wave arrive. Chester has officiated as a marriage celebrant at a same-sex wedding.
In his farewell to Parliament, Chester acknowledged that he was a loyal foot soldier in his party. That loyalty was the source of my taking issue with him, as for example on the potentially disastrous Trans-Pacific Partnership. But even in disagreement Chester chose to listen to opposition and to show up to debate.
To his credit also is the integration of Wanganui Collegiate and his work to secure financing for the Sarjeant Gallery. If somewhat belated, his columns in this paper on the fundamental inequities in our justice system vis-a-vis Maori demonstrate his basic sense of decency and fairness.
As we farewell Chester Borrows, his successor, Harete Hipango, has a good role model to follow. In exercising her independence I hope she maintains and strengthens her opposition to the seabed mining of our shores, invoking conscience above party.
I've disagreed with Chester on a variety of issues favoured by his party. But I've never doubted that he is a man of conscience and that his motivation was to serve honourably the best interests of our community.
-Jay Kuten is an American-trained forensic psychiatrist who emigrated to New Zealand for the fly fishing. He spent 40 years comforting the afflicted and intends to spend the rest afflicting the comfortable.
