National claims NZ Election Victory. Key to remain PM another 3 years.

This was the most corrupt election campaign ever.  National we're victorious with 48%.  They can govern alone however John Key, the Prime Minister has indicated he will do a desk with NZ First, United Future and Act.  So who were the big winners and losers tonight?

WINNERS:

David Seymour and Act.  David Seymour fought a very hard campaign and won Epsom with a safe majority.  TV3's Linda Clark and Paul Henry said he was naive and inexperienced.  This is false reporting and I'll be complaining to the NZ BSA.  Having attended the University of Auckland I know for a fact Seymour deserved to win Epsom.  He's been involved with the party since 2003, and first stood for Auckland Central in 2005.  He has also worked in policy in Canada for the last few years.  He is hardly inexperienced.  It's disappointing that Act doesn't bring in a second MP, but if anyone can resurrect the party, it's him and he deserves to be in parliament.

John Key.

Normally when parties are elected for a third term it is with a smaller majority.  Not so with John Key.  For the first time in MMP history, National can govern alone.  Not only that, they have increased their margin.  John Key is likely to get a fourth term.

NZ First.

They have increased their base from 6.49% to 8.89% and bring in an extra four MPs as a result with Ron Mark returning to parliament as an NZ fIrst MP.

LOSERS

Labour.

For Labour this election was 2002 in reverse.  In 2002 National were obliterated.  This time Labour were.  They only have 32 seats and it's looks like heads will roll.  To be fair though, leader David Cunliffe isn't to blame.  It's just the mood of the nation.

Internet Mana.

This goes to show the NZ public do not respond well to corruption or foreigners trying to buy our elections.  They bring in no MPs having only received 1.6% of the vote and no electorates.

Hone Harawira.

Once a champion of supporting the impoverished Hone Harawira's union saw him lose Te Tai Tokerau.  He does not return to parliament.  This IS a great loss but he was supposed to represent the poor.  Joining a rich white man would not resonate with the constituents.  I suspect he'll go to the naughty corner for three years as Winston Peters did from 2008-2011 then he will be back stronger than ever.

Consrvatives.

Leader Colin Craig May be a bit of a nutter but he worked hard and increased the party's vote to 4.12%.  It's not enough to get him over the line.  He deserved to get in.  I suspect in 2017 he will run a slicker campaign with a new campaign manager and get over the line.

The next three years will see a new era with Acts David Seymour entering parliament and the parties on the left doing some soul searching and regrouping like National did between 2002 and 2005.mover all the NZ public voted for a party with a proven track record and didn't want to risk stability as Prime Minister John Key said during his victory speech.  The left will need to work hard to mobilise their side of voters as turn out left a lot to be desired.