[Footnote] The National party only exists since 1936, but indeed, this is their worst-ever result. The nearest comparison is 1935, when the coalition government of the liberal and conservative parties (which united to become National) were swept aside by the first Labour landslide, 46% to 33%.

My own political consciousness starts in 1972 with a big Labour win; that government was progressive but short-lived. I participated in the biggish win of 1984, but that ended very badly indeed, as the rudderless Labour government was hijacked by the free-market loonies who subsequently formed the ACT party. Hence my low expectations for the next few years.

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II}