I’m off canvassing.  Here is a copy of the message I sent to my campaign team this morning

"This morning Judy Kirk will announce the party list rankings.

We were informed of our own positions yesterday evening, but not those of anyone else.

I am in slot 60. Though current polling would put me in off the list, that is not expected to be the election day position.   Wellington Central will have me representing it only if I am elected by Wellingtonians.

When I was 16 I was not accredited with UE. I got it of course the old-fashioned way, by sitting. I feel the same now.

60 is around where I thought I would be, given that the senior party attitude has been consistently “ we are glad to have you on board, but there are no inducements, and no guarantees”.

The party list is a shop-window. It is reported as a symbol of the kind of people who will be looked after by a party. Accordingly, though I believe strongly in appointments by merit, not quota, it is imperative for the party to show  that it is not composed only of people like me. There are plenty of people my age, colour and sex, so the shop window needs to emphasize those who are not.

It is also proper for a party to tell people who come across from other parties that they need to prove themselves, to earn trust and influence. I’m backing myself to do that.

I understand that most of the list has the sitting MPs in their current ranks. It is not likely to be the blueprint for  appointments after the election.

I would have phoned you all individually, but in case you’ve been watching the rugby till 3 am, please excuse learning this way.

Please feel free to let others know who you think should.

I want Wellington to know that if it wants the extra representation it will get from me, Wellington will have to put me there.