National MP for Ilam Hamish Campbell and Labour list MP based in Banks Peninsula Tracey McLellan have discussed voter frustration, Christchurch Cathedral funding, and whether the city should pursue an NRL team.

Speaking on Chris Lynch Media, Campbell said National accepted people were under pressure. “I think we have to acknowledge it. People are doing it tough, and in the world, there’s a lot of uncertainty,” Campbell said. “We’ve seen the Middle East. I think people are feeling just a little bit uncertain about what’s going on.”

He said recent polling showed many voters remained undecided. “In each of the polls, there’s been a large number of people that are unsure or aren’t naming a party, and so I think that speaks to the uncertainty.”

Campbell said National would release more policy in the coming weeks. “We want to make sure that everybody gets a boost through Kiwisaver, make Kiwisaver compulsory. We want to make sure that we can have solar panels on everybody’s roof.”

McLellan said National’s problem was that voters were not feeling the improvement they had been promised “People aren’t feeling that turnaround,” McLellan said. “After nearly three years, we’re paying more, we’re waiting longer, we’re seeing cuts to the services that we all rely on.”

She said cost of living remained the biggest issue for many people. “When I talk to people almost every day, people are saying no, they’re worse off.

“National talked a big promise before the last election about fixing cost of living, and we’re going backwards.” Campbell said National was dealing with problems created under the previous government.

“House prices went up 33 percent. Rents went up on average $175 a week. That has caused a lot of issues, and we’re cleaning up the mess.” He said voters were wary of political promises that sounded free. “You can say things are free, free, free, free, free. That’s great, but the old adage is there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

“You end up paying through your tax, you end up paying through inflation.”

On Christchurch Cathedral, McLellan said the project was important to many people, but the cost was difficult to justify for some ratepayers. “I’ve said on several occasions that Christ Church Cathedral is dear to many people’s hearts. It’s a heritage project,” she said.

“I think an awful lot of money has already gone into it, including $25 million from the last Labour government. “When times are tough, and they are tough, and people are doing it too tough at the moment, they start to think, well, is this a good use of money?”

“I think a petition gives people a chance to have a say and to voice those concerns, which has clearly been needed because they haven’t felt heard.”

Campbell said many people wanted the Cathedral finished, but the plan needed to be clear. “We do need to make sure that the plan to actually finish it is locked in and concrete.

“I think people are probably a little bit over this project. Lots of people in Christchurch would love to see it fixed.” He said the proposed cost was landing at a difficult time.

“Maybe $6 extra a week, or whatever it’s going to cost, at a time when things are tight, maybe timing’s not great.” McLellan said the council had at least put forward a possible way through.

“It is conditional on other people chipping in as well, so ultimately we’re going to find a way forward. “We can’t kind of blame the council for at least putting a stake in the ground.”

On whether Christchurch should pursue an NRL team, McLellan said major opportunities could be part of council’s role if the support was appropriate.

“Council do need to get the basics right, but economic development is one of those basics for a growing city as well. “The key question is not whether council should support big opportunities, because I do think they should. It’s about whether that level of support is appropriate.

“What are the costs? What are the risks? Are the private investors carrying most of the weight?” Campbell said the popularity of the Warriors game in Christchurch showed there was support for rugby league in the South Island. “The NRL competition is going very strongly, and there are a lot of followers here in the South Island.

“I think we probably could have another team in the league.” McLellan said Warriors supporters remained loyal.

“We’re still waiting for that first overall win for the Warriors, but those of us who have been die hard fans since day one never give up hope.”