MERAS organiser Karen Gray (left) and ARA Midwifery lecturer Sarah Pallett (right) enjoyed a night of politics hosted by Canterbury Unions on Wednesday, 7 October. The event gave workers the opportunity to ask questions of their politicians. 

Sarah Pallett is running for Parliament in the Christchurch seat of Ilam, now held by National Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee. Sarah is number 62 on the Labour List so has an outside chance of getting into Parliament, depending on the so-called “wasted vote”. These are the Party votes given to parties that don’t make it into Parliament because they have not won a seat or do not meet the 5% threshold. The votes are redistributed to the successful parties.