Brown's unelected vote tantrum is naked, self-serving hypocrisy

Wayne Brown is throwing a mayoral tantrum because the Government wants council votes cast by people Aucklanders can actually vote out.

Responding to Brown’s threat to walk away from the Auckland Deal if Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) members lose their committee voting rights, Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson Jordan Williams said:

“Brown likes unelected votes because they help get his resolutions over the line. Now Wellington is threatening to remove his political training wheels, he is screaming ‘butt out’. What a self-interested disgrace.

“His claim that unelected members ‘contribute to, rather than take away from, democracy’ is so Orwellian that George Orwell’s estate should demand royalties.

“Aucklanders cannot vote IMSB members in or out. Claiming their votes add to democracy is like claiming Brown’s rate hikes make ratepayers richer.

“We are astonished that Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson — National’s voice on the Council — is party to these stand-over tactics. National’s constitution lists ‘equal citizenship’ among its values. Her direct challenge to the Prime Minister and Simon Watts raises serious questions about whether she can credibly remain in the party.

“If Brown cannot persuade a majority of elected representatives to support him, the problem is not democracy. The problem is Wayne Brown.”