A local candidate in this year’s general election wants New Zealand to end its participation in international bodies including the United Nations.
John Armstrong is representing the New Zealand Loyal political party in Botany at the election scheduled for October 14.
The party is led by former television broadcaster Liz Gunn and is campaigning on policies including introduction of a one per cent financial transaction tax.
Armstrong, who lives with his family in Shelly Park, describes the policy as a “game-changer with all income tax and GST removed, including fuel taxes”.
“This will immediately eliminate the cost-of-living crisis while raising sufficient tax revenue.
“Inland Revenue will all but be redundant. This flat-line financial transaction tax will be paid by everyone, including banks, which will significantly lighten the load on low- to middle-income households.
“Small businesses would not need accountants as your tax is already paid and will be paid at every transaction.”
Armstrong says NZ Loyal wants to see New Zealand’s participation in the World Economic Forum, United Nations and World Health Organisation ended as those bodies are “unelected by the people”.
He says he has no political experience, but is an active union delegate with “extensive experience” in negotiating for $100 million-plus worker collective agreements.
“In addition I have done three years of personal study in Common Law and Contract Law.
“I have a strong moral compass and believe in family values, honour, manners and our unalienable human rights as living men and women.
“I joined NZ Loyal as their policies are commonsense policies and align with my personal beliefs.”
Armstrong says his purpose as a candidate is to listen to the people, discuss and debate and represent them in Parliament.
Modern day politicians have forgotten who they serve, he says.
“Government must always honour the will of the people.”
He moved to New Zealand from South Africa with his wife and their two children in 2005 and is a registered industrial automation electrician specialising in high-speed process control.
Armstrong says he loved New Zealand immediately because of its beauty, people, and culture, and because “everybody had a fair go”.
He says things have worsened since then, with “rampant crime”, the cost of living crisis, and a Government that’s “forgotten its people”.
“As a South African I grew up with Apartheid and it’s not pretty. Ultimately the will of the people forced change through a binding referendum.
“NZ Loyal will ensure we have a solid written constitution which includes our Bill of Rights.
“All mandated workers need their jobs back as well as compensation.
“We need to listen and treat our vaccine injured who have been ignored by all the politicians in power right now.”
Armstrong says NZ Loyal wants to repeal the Therapeutic Products Bill and the Abortion Legislation Act.
“We will also put an immediate stop to the sexual ideology and gender programmes being run in the schools, libraries and universities.
“We are a grassroots party by the people, for the people, and further believe in de-centralisation with a smaller Government, and local councils, districts or shires taking care of themselves.”
