Campaign Blog: 03 November

Yesterday I visited Queensgate Mall in Lower Hutt and was frankly surprised by the reaction.

Not one person had a negative thing to say to me in this traditionally Labour-leaning area.

There were undoubtedly people who vote Labour there, but as I went around meeting people, I was surprised at the level of support. This was particularly the case with younger people I met, who wanted me to pose for cellphone camera pictures with them.

Even the ever-present Muffin Break poll had National ahead, although I'm not sure how scientific that particular poll really is.

As I've travelled the country I've found that people are not interested in the latest desperate dirt-digging attempts by Labour, nor the latest news involving Winston Peters.

People want to know what National will do in the areas they care deeply about - the economy, health, education and law & order.

It is these issues that will decide the election - not Labour Party dirt-digging on my past, nor sideshows like Winston Peters.

After visiting Queensgate I headed to Upper Hutt to announce our Schools Policy, including our plan to plough more money into school buildings.

National will inject an additional $500 million into school property funding over the next three years to allow for a 21st Century School Building Programme.

There's an urgent and overdue need to plan for the future by improving and expanding current schools and building new ones.

Today I am campaigning in Auckland, and tonight I will be appearing on the TV3 debate.

John Key

ENDS

© Scoop Media