[CCS]

Greens' co-leadership race: James Shaw rejects criticism

Green Party leadership hopeful James Shaw has rejected criticism from his main rival that he is a metrosexual, non-driving MP who would be out of place on a farm.

As part of his campaign to replace Russel Norman as male co-leader, Mr Shaw has promoted his broad appeal and his ability to grow the Green Party vote, based on his performance in the Wellington Central electorate.

The other top contender for the co-leadership position, Kevin Hague, has challenged him on these claims.

Mr Hague questioned whether Mr Shaw would be at home speaking on a marae, to trade unionists or to a group of farmers. He also said voters outside the capital might not relate to a metrosexual, Wellington-based MP who does not drive.

Hold on... the homosexual MP claims the straight guy is too metrosexual to relate to farmers? What in the shit? I guess Hague is saying he promises to not wear his ABSOLUT HOMO t-shirt when he meets rural types?

Responding to those comments this morning, Mr Shaw said: "I don't agree that I can't talk to farmers.

I actually come from a farming family [in Opotiki]."

He would not "pretend to be a farmer" himself, but he said he had good rapport with the rural community because he did not take a judgmental stance on environmental issues.

The first-term MP said he has been urging his party to broaden its caucus to include more Maori, Pacific Islanders, and farmers.

It's obviously better to relate to farmers if you're a manly-man rather than a homo-metro-quasi-intersectional-sexual but they're missing the point. The first hurdle in a Green MP talking to a farmer is that they're a Green MP. Bi-cis-herm comes after that.

Aged 16, Mr Shaw decided he would not learn to drive for environmental reasons. He has maintained that stance while living in Wellington, Brussels, and London.

Now that electric cars are more readily available, the 42 year-old is planning to change his policy, and has gained his learner licence.

So Hague is criticising Shaw for sticking to his Green principals by not driving? I can't even...

Mr Hague, a third-term MP, said he had a track record of campaigning in a provincial electorate (West Coast-Tasman) and speaking face-to-face "with both Federated Farmers and Forest and Bird".

A Green MP talking to Forest and Bird isn't any real achievement, consirdering they have pretty much the same aims.

Good on the Greens for realising they have to broaden their appeal, but I can't believe it's come to this, with the homo accusing the other guy of being too metro. What in the fuck.