Bradford to Leave Parliament

The NZ Herald has confirmed the rumour that 57yr old Green MP Sue Bradford has announced her retirement after ten years in Parliament. She will be leaving Parliament at the end of the month. Bradford will be replaced by David Clendon who is currently at number 10 on the list. She stated in the Green Party's press release, “I’ll always be politically active and Parliament is just one vehicle for political change" - she's absolutely correct, and good on her.

She's not a very popular lady, with 87.4% of Kiwis opposed to her Anti-Smacking law which the Prime Minister continues to support. The majority of MPs are also in disagreement with the law which criminalises good parents who use reasonable force for the purpose of correcting their children - though they are unable to state this publically. And of course her own colleagues in the Green Party are sick and tired of the smacking issue and want to rebrand and move on to other issues. Refusing Bradford the position of co-leader after the announcement of Fitzsimons' retirement was quite likely a hint from the caucus that it was time for her to pack her bags.

"I’ll be going back to the grassroots”

A few quotes from Sue Bradford...

"The men that are anti this bill are sexual perverts and get a kick out of hitting children" - Stuff, NZ Herald

"Smacking has never been a criminal offence, and still isn't" - Scoop

"Parents need to accept that it is no longer legal to hit children." - Newstalk ZB