Big screen session with MP Bennett

Members of Parliament continue to visit Marlborough, with Labour Party MP for New Plymouth Glen Bennett touring Marlborough late last week.

As part of his trip across the region, Glen was focusing on his Tourism and Hospitality shadow ministerial office visiting local businesses and organisations before taking the opportunity to host a Question and Answer session with local Labour Party supporters ahead of a screening of ‘Prime Minister’ in Blenheim.

“I’ve been meeting with many different organisations both in and between Blenheim and Picton to understand the lay of the land for your region in tourism and hospitality, but my thing is to always be constructive”, said Glen, ahead of the screening.

“Today has shown me real buoyancy for Marlborough tourism, but also the challenges of infrastructure which are always topical”.

While he may be tasked with the mirroring role of whip to Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith, Glen says the two have much in common.

“Being a regional MP myself from Taranaki I know how important it is in the regions to get out, be seen and support local people as we can be tied into Auckland and Wellington so much, so visits like this are my happy place.

“Stuart and I often catch up as he is chief whip of the National Party, so we have much to do in common around numbers, voting and what we’re collectively supporting and debating in the house, and obviously as a party you play your politics but it’s often not what you see in the headlines so on a national scale I work closely with Louise Upston in that Tourism space.

Glen says he heard much positivity, but a want for certainty from Wellington.
“Everywhere I went, people in the tourism space are really positive, but they just want to see a plan from the government and a plan that we stick to so I’m really committed to us sticking to a plan that goes across different election cycles and different parties in power.

“If we can get the settings and the infrastructure right, then people will continue to flock here and the numbers will grow coming to Marlborough which is wonderful for everyone.

“I haven’t seen the film yet, and I’m feeling very hungry because I can smell the popcorn.

“We’re not MP’s alone, it's the volunteers and supporters who are the engine room of what we do so it’s a gift to come and be amongst people I don’t necessarily know but I know have common values and drive for New Zealand”.