The Dunedin South Labour Party has been my ballast; you have stuck with me through all the triumphs and disasters. Mine has not been an easy ride. Audrey Young once referred to me as a "Trouble magnet". I don't disagree, though it wasn't intentional. I was part of a group of new MPs in 2008—called the "class of '08"—determined to do politics differently, with fresh ideas and perspectives. I helped start a blog for Labour MPs, which had never been done before. "Red Alert" was truly innovative and groundbreaking, as well as a bit wacky and controversial. It also provided fresh meat for that emerging subterranean species we now call right-wing—and some left-wing—trolls. After five years, it ceased, but it provided a genuine platform for open discussion between elected politicians and actual people about priorities, new policy thinking, and ways of engaging with voters. 