Sue Bradford exits Parliament, returns to 'grass roots'
Sue Bradford is exiting Parliament and returning to “grassroots” politics after failing to win Green Party leadership in a co-leader contest earlier this year.
In an announcement this morning, Ms Bradford, 57, said the party’s decision was clear and democratic, but personally disappointing. She said she was ready for a change after a decade in the House.
The four-term MP and leader of the anti-smacking legislation said the change was effective from October 30.
Aucklander and sustainable business advisory Dave Clendon is the party’s new MP, of Ngapuhi/Te Roroa and Pakeha descent.
“The Green Party has been in the House for ten years now and so new faces and new energy are to be expected,” he said. “Importantly, all of our MPs are committed to the same values, as in any established political party.”
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said Ms Bradford was a very experienced and successful MP and the party would like her to continue but respected her decision to step down.
Co-leader Metiria Turei said Ms Bradford had been a champion of Green social justice policy. “Sue has been strong and determined in representing the Green Party’s commitment to speak for the underrepresented and the most vulnerable.”
Ms Bradford said she would remain a member and supporter of the Green Party, along with staying active in community groups and unions.
“I’ll always be politically active and Parliament is just one vehicle for political change. I’ll be going back to the grassroots.”
She said it was an honour to have provided a voice in Parliament for communities without representation, including children and young people, low-income workers and the unemployed.
Three of Ms Bradford’s Members’ Bills passed into law in the last Parliament, including lifting the youth minimum wage, extending the length of time some mothers can keep their babies with them in prison and changing s59 of the Crimes Act so children could receive the same legal protection from assault as adults.
“I’ve also been privileged, through Green Party budget bids, to secure support for the Community & Voluntary sector, for example, securing substantial extra funding for the Community Organisations Grants Scheme (COGS) and initiating the Community Internship Programme,” she said.
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Comments and questions12
Great News
Perhaps now the Greens can focus their political capital on being Greens now. It will do wonders for their party's polling, as sane greens that most of us are can now vote for a party that may just represent us name...nrather than feminist marxism. She will not be missed. The only risk is what she plans next.... Child advocate at the UN lined up there?
Hooray! More deadwood trimmed from Parliament
I agree with Kiwi Chick, now the Greens can focus on the environment and lose the silly focus of the old Values Party they once were. Perhaps Sue can do a speaking circuit in North Korea, Lybia and Iran at least as an ex MP she will have the airfare covered I would be happy to pay the remaining 10%.
At last she's gone. When's the party?
As a communist, why should Bradford respect a democratic decision? Or was it just the huffs? Acting like a petulant child, she should be spanked.
Thank god she has gone, we can do without people like her, now we just need to get rid of the rest of them. Especially that self-serving attention seeking Aussie Norman - go home!
With her gone, the Green Party would probably poll better. This is sort of bad, because their social policy is not likely to change much even with her gone. Her presence in the Green Party revealed much of who they really are, socialist first, environmental a distant second.
Sue Who?
Grass roots or grass weeds.?
A born trouble-maker flounces out because she's rejected by the Greens. I didn't know they could be so sensible...
Born to rule? Not according to the public.
Sue Bradford's anti-smacking bill made me proud to be a New Zealander. It was way ahead of its time - it may take decades for popular opinion to come around, as it has for social issues such as drunk driving. Bravo Sue, thank you for bringing this issue into public debate.
Katherine if the anti-smacking bill made you proud to be a New Zealand how does the continued child abuse that results in the continued death and suffering of young New Zealander on a monthly basis even after this law was put in place. Sue only succeeded in winning the hearts of the P.C. minority too ignorant to see that this legislation has done nothing to protect those who needed it. Good riddance to someone who was at the heart of 9 wasted years of the Labour/Green fiasco.
Does grass roots mean she is going back to spitting in policeman's faces?