Bradford - the pain and the glory

Sue Bradford tells the House in her valedictory speech yesterday that she hopes to be remembered for more than the anti-smacking law. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Never one to shirk a challenge, departing Green MP Sue Bradford begins her farewell speech to Parliament by suggesting MPs' pay increases be matched by similar increases in the minimum wage.

The suggestion is greeted with enthusiasm by many who have gathered in the public gallery to watch her: unionists, beneficiary advocates, and Green Party supporters.

There is less enthusiasm for a vintage Bradford idea from some in Parliament's debating chamber. It is one of the last Bradford moments they will enjoy.

Her valedictory makes passing mention to her reason for leaving - her unsuccessful tilt at the Green Party's co-leadership and her open acknowledgment of the hurt that the party chose Metiria Turei instead of her.

She says simply that since losing that vote in May, "It became clear to me that my heart was no longer in this job, and that it was time for me to move on, despite the fact that so much remains to be done."

She talks of the pain and glory of the law that most people associate with her: the anti-smacking law, or as Ms Bradford described it - slightly tongue in cheek this time - the law change "amending s59 of the Crimes Act and removing the defence of reasonable force for the purposes of correction".

To widespread applause, Ms Bradford - who has received threats from opponents of the bill - said this was her main accomplishment and the one she expected to go down in history for "whether I like it or not".

She thanked Prime Minister John Key and the National Party for "sticking to their principles" and refusing to bow to the intense public pressure prompted by the recent referendum on the law change. But she conceded it was an issue that had not yet gone away.

"But one day I do believe people will look back and wonder why on earth our country tore itself apart over whether there should be a legal defence for assaulting children or not."

However, she added her hope that that one bill would not be all she is remembered for.

Her speech spared her own party the concerns she publicly voiced when explaining her decision to quit - that the Green Party was increasingly becoming a word previously anathema to it - "mainstream". Instead, she recalled the Green Party's early years, when the "first generation MPs" were led by the late Rod Donald and Jeanette Fitzsimons. She wishes her present colleagues well. But, as a subtle reminder to them, she listed one thing personally of more importance than her other achievements: "I have never sold out."

She wound up talking of her dislike of capitalism and urged "people in communities, learning institutions, marae and workplaces around this country" to work for change themselves.

So at the end the activist headed back out into her "Parliament of the streets", talking about the same things she came in talking about: inequality, workers, the gap between rich and poor and protest - or as the now older, wiser, but no less optimistic Ms Bradford puts it: "Raising peoples' awareness of the power we hold in our hands if we really want to change the world."