Scots College and Marsden senior students pulled no punches yesterday in an election forum held in Marsden’s auditorium. Several hundred students listened to answers politely, but they were fully alive to the sharp points in the questions their house captains asked.

The questions were more penetrating than in most adult meetings. Admittedly they had a warm-up from parent Richard Harman, and the lunch break to prepare, but the questions were nevertheless well directed to the soft points of each party’s public persona.  My ten years on the Management Board of Marsden and daughters’ names on the honours boards did not translate to any quarter. Nor did Sue Kedgley’s old girl status.

A short question to Labour finished with the kicker "and how will you save whales?". The Marsden auditorium rocked. What a relief, that after all their education they  can still joke about our marine mammal worship. 

There was laughter again as Sue Kedgely was questioned about nuclear power, and roars when Ron Mark for NZ First was asked about corporate donations and the Spencer Trust ("we have always complied with the law").

Probably the greatest surprise to candidates was Ron Mark’s rapport with at least the vocal part of the audience. He mocked the Green favour for polluting the body (with drugs) but not the landscape. He strongly asserted NZ First’s immigation policy and shamelessly adopted National’s policy for bonding and accelerated write-offs of student loans for students who serve in New Zealand. So did the Hon Peter Dunne.

I caught a ride back to town with Ron. As his car worked through the Scots College boys he got the rap-style endorsements.