Independent views By Brendan Horan

This Government, in 2008, shut the door on individuals seeking legal redress to the Privy Council, should our courts have got it wrong. Simon Bridges this year banned protestors from demonstrating within 500 metres of oil platforms, a law aligned to the Russian approach, where we have seen 30 Greenpeace protestors recently imprisoned.

We have to ask who wrote and sponsored this legislation? We know it followed on from ministerial backroom meetings with Shell Oil representatives on February 14, when shortly after a paper was presented to cabinet. Where was the public consultation? Now we have the Government Communications Security Bureau legislation, legalising spying on NZ citizens; and NZ's Defence Force labelling journalists as terrorists.

Manufactured illusions, and the spread of misinformation, are primary tools those with hidden agendas employ to propagate mass acceptance. It is the use of subtle, yet plausible untruths, repeated over and over again until the masses agree. Fear, racism and division may be employed as well.

Another tactic is a favourite of Winston Peters, who believe me, got my situation completely wrong. He jumped the gun and made decisions based on information from less-than-creditable sources; and is now playing political games to save face.

Winston employs a strategy that involves a deliberate lack of information coupled with mis-information. 'There is more to come,” he so often quotes. This is an attempt to hide the bigger picture, as each small piece in isolation seems palatable. Yet, in reality, it is just another malicious untruth – but which often succeeds in gaining the consent of the masses. In reality, these tactics erode democracy and fair justice.

These methods have been employed extensively against the public. A diversity of politicians, in pursuit of various hidden agendas across the globe, have used these tactics throughout time. It is never about the people who may get hurt; it is about the purpose of the hidden agenda.

From first-hand experience, and perpetrated attacks on my integrity, my family, my values and sense of fair and natural justice, and as well in respect to recent actions from our present Government, I start to question what democracy, freedom of thought and speech really mean today? Would our forefathers, who gave their lives in two world wars to protect First World democracy, be happy?

I got into politics to help New Zealanders. I love my country, I blindly never conceived the events of the last year would evolve; and that false information would be misrepresented in such a media-destructive frenzy.

I have strength of purpose that has held me strong as a national sports representative throughout my life, my workplace and now as a politician. I encourage all New Zealanders, including the 850,000 who failed to vote last time, to stand against the attacks to our democratic purpose and our forefathers' intentions, in honour of the lives they put on the line for fair democracy.

Use your vote; and vote against destructive forces eroding our democratic process.