Waikato candidate for ACT James McDowell. Photo / Supplied
Although seen as a National Party fortress, the Waikato electorate could well have two local MPs representing them. The polls show that Act could have nine members elected off the list, opening the way for Act's Waikato candidate James McDowall, who sits at number six on the list, to enter parliament for the first time.
If the polls are true on election day, then it could be the biggest caucus Act has had since 2002, when it had nine MPs under leader Richard Prebble.
McDowall stood for Act in the Hamilton East electorate in the 2017 elections, where he secured only 140 votes.
However, this time McDowall is focusing on raising the awareness of the Act party rather than his own individual electorate.
"Many new MPs seem to think that the sole purpose of being elected is to head to Wellington to create ever-more rules and regulations, eroding Kiwis' freedoms in the process. As a classical liberal, I put Kiwis' freedoms first and will be joining a caucus of like-minded MPs," McDowall said.
McDowall is also the party's spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Immigration. He owns several small businesses, including an immigration law firm.
He said it is no surprise that Act is riding high in the polls, with voters seeking a party that will get to the point.
"Voters are relieved to have a straight-talking party that is prepared to have a real conversation about the debt and how we're going to get through this.
"We have consistently made decisions based upon principles, not political expediency. Act has also been an effective opposition to the Government, providing helpful suggestions where possible and constructive criticism where necessary."
"This honesty and thoughtful considered approach to policy is why more and more voters are being drawn to Act."
McDowall said that Act's support for Waikato is growing and that voters and residents are wanting a strong economic plan for the region.
"In Waikato we'll remove the politics from infrastructure that stops the bridges and roads from being built and put more money in your pocket with a temporary reduction in the GST and permanent tax cuts while maintaining health and education services," McDowall said.
"Voters are tired of the same old policies and ideas. More Act MPs sends a message to Wellington that we need better economic management and a better health response to Covid – not slogans and sound bites. Act is the only party that has a plan for a stronger New Zealand that gets us through the economic and health challenges that we are facing."
McDowall said that the key policies he is advocating are the response plan to Covid-19, mental health and creating the world's best firearm laws.
"Our response plan to Covid-19 is about getting smart about the border using a risk-based approach and better use of technology and partnerships to help avoid any more costly lockdowns that harm businesses and mental health.
"We also want to transform our mental health sector by creating a stand-alone Mental Health and Addiction agency that distributes funding on a national scale, which would empower patients to choose between a range of providers, rather than simply accept what their DHB offers."
"And we want to create the world's best firearm laws. The government's changes to the law made us no safer and the changes were ineffective, unjust and scapegoated 250,000 honest and hardworking New Zealanders. We need to get the policy settings right and Act will do this."