Tauranga City councillor Clayton Mitchell will stick to his word and do what the public has asked despite being 'mildly disappointed” following the results of his SunLive poll.
Via the poll, the NZ First candidate for Tauranga asked residents to state whether they think he should keep his council role if he ends up in Parliament after Election Day, or resign.
Tauranga City councillor and NZ First Tauranga candidate Clayton Mitchell.
Clayton promised the results would be binding – and after the poll closed today he is keeping his word.
The poll attracted 525 replies, 401 of which wanted Clayton to give up his council seat and focus solely on government if he's elected.
Another 100 people wanted Clayton to remain in both offices and review the situation after six months.
Twenty-four people voted for him to remain in both jobs until the next TCC election.
'I think it is a clear indication that the majority of people want me to have one role, and so I will adhere to that as I said I would,” says Clayton today, speaking from Rotorua where he's campaigning with NZ First leader Winston Peters.
'I'm mildly disappointed that people didn't want to give me the six months to give it a go.”
There were five sitting local body councillors in the National Party caucus at the last elections, says Clayton, who sat out their terms at council.
He isn't saying goodbye to his TCC role just yet – waiting patiently to see the results of the September 20 Election Day.
But Clayton, who is listed sixth on NZ First's list, is confident it's a decision he will have to make.
Five per cent of the party vote in this year's election on September 20 will give NZ First seven seats in the house, bringing Clayton into Parliament.
'We're always traditionally much lower in the polls than we end up doing on the night. We feel very comfortable and confident that we are actually going to do well.”
Clayton was elected into his councillor role for Tauranga City Council last year. This is the councillor's first time standing for central government as he says it has taken him a long time to enter politics.
8 comments
Your foremost comments person
Posted on 05-09-2014 14:52 | By How about this view!
Sums it up the best really. GO CLAYTON!!
Go away Clayton!!!
Posted on 05-09-2014 16:52 | By Sambo Returns
I really do not care what Councillors in other centres do, as a ratepayer in a a city with a $350 million plus debt, I would want you concentrating on one role and doing what you said you would do, when you got elected to the T.C.C, I do not care either about how good you think you are, if we as ratepayer pay your wages, I would like to see you do your job!!!, and good luck with being in Parliament.
No idea what we want.
Posted on 05-09-2014 16:55 | By dgk
Just goes to show, he really doesn't know how his constituents actually feel. Not a good start if you want to represent Tauranga in central government without knowing what Tauranga wants.
As least he is doing what the people what!
Posted on 05-09-2014 17:10 | By Go Clayton
As least he is doing what the people what and he is doing what he said he would do!! Totally agree with him, u got my vote for you and nz first.
DGK
Posted on 05-09-2014 17:57 | By YOGI BEAR
Clueless before stood via NZ First, and still no idea, not even in Wellington yet. Looks like he is perfect for the role. make it up as go not need to ask and no idea what or why. But none of that is a problem anyway, Winnie will show him the way forward.
@dgk
Posted on 05-09-2014 19:02 | By tabatha
Read carefully he asked what people wanted, he was prepared to do both as a previous person.
Go Clayton, Wellington Calls!
Posted on 05-09-2014 19:19 | By Disappointed
Over three quarters of respondents want Clayton Mitchell to concentrate on one job at a time. It may be disappointing right now but the common sense of this result will ultimately prove to be a positive for both himself and this city. Personally I am disappointed that, as a first term councillor, he has not given the commitment to Council that he asked of those who put him there. One can only wish him the best of luck with Winston First.
What I want to know from all candidates is?
Posted on 06-09-2014 11:45 | By BullShtAlert
How you are going to spend my money? What qualifies you for the job? What is you personal and business record? If you've been in business, who have you been in business with? Do you practice what you preach? Has any candidate ever had a criminal record? All candidates for parliament and local body elections should answer these type of questions. Forget about all the distractions. But should Winston's NZ First Party hold the balance of power and Clayton get into parliament I think you can't do 2 proper full-time jobs at once, let alone run bars or whatever businesses. After all MPs and councillors get paid well enough, not forgetting MPs perks.
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