9.50PM: The greatest shock of the results of the General Election in so far with over 80% of the vote counted is that viciously-tongued homophobe John Banks will be in the new Parliament, after surging out to a lead in Epsom. The greatest surprise is the strong showing by NZ First, with the high-profile political survivor Winston Peters returning, towing a rag tag band of names and unknowns behind him. Should glbti-essential legislation go before the house it may need more than a few votes from the right-ist parties to succeed. Will any come from NZ First? It's hard to say. Peters himself has been resolutely anti-gay for his entire political career. Tracey Martin is an unknown quantity. Andrew Williams was mayor of North Shore when Banks was Auckland's mayor and their relationship turned personally toxic. He has shown a penchant for abusive late-night phonecalls and doesn't seem to be entirely toilet trained. Richard Prossor. Who? Barbara Stewart is a former MP who sank without a trace. Brendan Horan is the nice Maori chap who presented TV One weather before they brought back Jim Hickey. Dennis O'Rourke and Asenati Taylor are likewise unknown quantities as far as we can find out tonight. So, as far as NZ First goes on glbti issues... watch this space!
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 26th November 2011 - 9:35pm