The fall of Kings and the rise of Princes

I am still waiting the final figures but it is certain that my campaign for election to Moreland council has been unsuccessful.

It was fairly clear that this election was a change election and voters were looking for candidates who clearly represented change. I was unwilling to pander to that basic desire by ruthlessly attacking some of my Labor colleagues like some other successful candidates (especially in the northern wards) did.

For not a moment do I regret talking about the issues and trying to stay positive.

The campaign may have ended but the issues I care greatly about - fixing Sydney Road, reforming children's services, standing up for renters against profiteers, and protecting community sport - will not go away.

Moreland council will have a strong Labor majority but the character of that Labor majority is yet to be known. Will it be a progressive majority or reactionary? I am prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and will be there to hold the Labor caucus accountable to the progressive policy direction it espouses.

I particularly welcome the imminent election of Enver Erdogan - a good young progressive with good working class politics and the re-election of Cr Alice Pryor.

And I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the broader cause, that of advancing progressive politics in my own community and on broader shores.

In the meantime let us drink, metaphoriclly, to the fall of kings, the rise of princes, and to interesting times.