National’s Nelson candidate impresses locals

Nelson’s National Party candidate, Blair Cameron, impressed residents after he and the party’s deputy leader Nicola Willis discussed their election priorities at a public meeting on the cost of living.

At one of the first large-scale National Party events in the region in the lead-up to October’s election, Blair took the opportunity to introduce himself to the crowd of about 200, outlining his past work for organisations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

He joked that he had disappointed some by not being a born-and-bred Nelsonian, instead hailing from rural Canterbury, but said his commitment to the region was strong.

“I love Nelson and it’s great to be calling this awesome city home.”

The meeting attendees that Local Democracy Reporting spoke to afterwards were willing to overlook Blair's Cantabrian roots and were impressed by the 32-year-old.

“I think he’s got potential. He’s smart and hardworking, he’s really getting out there,” said one man.

“He’ll be challenging a few of the National people with the man bun,” he joked. “But he may hopefully be bringing along more of the younger, middle-aged group.”

The meeting was primarily attended by over-50s, a fact not lost on those who were in the room.

“I was disappointed there weren’t more younger people here,” another said. “That’s a problem with the whole political thing. Someone’s got to step up and start taking over from us old people, someone’s got to run the country.”

When asked if Blair could be that someone, the attendee said he would be “ideal.”

“You need someone that’s enthusiastic, intelligent.”

Nicola took aim at the Government during the meeting and said it hasn’t done enough to address the housing and worker shortages, has neglected investment into road infrastructure, is “confiscating” local water assets as part of the Three Waters reform, and has caused the cost-of-living crisis by increasing inflation through “wasteful” spending practices.

But while attendees seemed generally receptive to Nicola, not all were convinced by what she said.

“I didn’t like that stuff at the start about that the alleged reasons for inflation,” one man said. “I thought it was nonsense. Inflation’s not just the Labour Party. There is worldwide inflation because of Covid and various things.”