The new mayor of Jahkirk?

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 5

The new mayor of Jahkirk?

By

KAY FORRESTER

The start line for the Christchurch Mayoralty race is getting crowded. The latest entrant in the local body stakes will carry the colours of the McGillicuddy Serious Party. He is Craig Young and he will line up with the definite starters, Sir Hamish Hay (United Citizens) and Vicki Buck (Independent), the outsiders, James Daniels and Ken Ellis, and possibly David Close, who is still to weigh in for Labour. It is the first time the McGilli-

cuddy Serious Party has put up a candidate in a South Island local body election, although the party has previously backed candidates for the Hamilton and Wellington mayoralties. This year the party plans to contest the mayoralties of several cities. Nineteen candidates stood for the party in the last General Election, snaring 3000 votes. Mr Young’s main policy is the “Highlandification” of Christchurch. He offers Christchurch an end to English culture and the introduc-

tion of “the uplifting Celtic way of life.” A radically different Christchurch would be renamed Jahkirk. The party’s acting leader, Mark Servian, self-styled Thane of Gordonton, believes Mr Young is well suited to the mayoralty, “having no knowledge whatsoever of administration and financial planning.” He promises an entertaining McGillicuddy Serious Party campaign as Mr Young and his followers spread their message of a fun-filled life.