My first MP died

Gerald O’Brien died this month. He was aged 93.

He was the MP for Island Bay from 1969 to 1978, making him my local MP.

He was deselected from Labour after allegedly asking a couple of boys back to his room for a drink. He remained an Independent MP but lost the 1978 election to Frank O’Flynn. But he got 3,700 votes, which almost led National to win the seat coming just 650 votes behind Labour.

He was a Vice-President of Labour and if it were not for the scandal, he may well have become a Minister in the 4th Labour Government.