Michael Laws (1957 - ) is a New Zealand politician. He served two controversial parliamentary terms as an MP, and is currently the Mayor of Wanganui.

Laws was born in Wairoa, but attended high school in Wanganui. He attended the University of Otago, where he eventually graduated with a first class honours degree.

Having become involved in the youth wing of the National Party, Laws worked as a parliamentary researcher for National between 1985 and 1989. In the 1987 elections, Laws stood as the National candidate for the Hawke's Bay seat, but failed to defeat the incumbent Bill Sutton of the Labour Party. In the 1990 elections, however, Laws was successful, and entered Parliament. He was re-elected in the 1993 elections despite a significant swing away from the National Party.

Laws never had a good relationship with the National Party's senior hierarchy — while a researcher, much of his work had been for Winston Peters, who was looked upon with disapproval by party leader Jim Bolger. Tensions persisted between Laws and Bolger after Laws became an MP, made worse by Laws' declaration that he would attempt to follow popular opinion in Hawke's Bay rather than National Party policy. On a number of issues, Laws voted against his party, joining with several other dissident MPs to oppose the economic policies of Ruth Richardson. He also championed the unsuccessful "Death with Dignity" bill, which aimed to legalise euthanasia — he was prompted towards this by the terminal illness of Cam Campion , a fellow dissident in Laws' first term in Parliament.

Throughout his parliamentary career, there were frequent rumours that Laws was about to join a new party. When Gilbert Myles and Hamish McIntyre , angry about Ruth Richardson's policies, founded the new Liberal Party, Laws was invited to join, but declined. Later, when his old boss Winston Peters established the New Zealand First party, Laws was rumoured to be considering a change of parties, but eventually decided that New Zealand First lacked the organisation and principle to be successful. Finally, Laws was involved in discussions with Mike Moore, former leader of the Labour Party, to establish a new centrist party — this party did not eventuate, however, with Laws claiming that Moore was unwilling to commit to it. In the end, Laws' relationship with the National Party deteriorated to the point where he no longer attended caucus meetings, and he decided to join New Zealand First.

Laws did not remain in Parliament much longer, however, due to a political scandal. According to allegations made against Laws, he employed a company part-owned by his wife to conduct a poll, using public money — Laws, for his part, claimed that "there had been no profit to either company or individuals", and an official inquiry confirmed that there had only been a minor and unintentional breach of regulations. However, Laws' conduct during the matter was strongly criticised, with Laws misleading the public on a number of issues. Eventually, Laws chose to resign from Parliament. There are differing opinions over the whole controversy — Laws acknowledges that he did things which he should not have done, but claims that it was a relatively minor matter which was blown out of proportion by his numerous political enemies. His opponents maintain that he was guilty of corruption.

Although he had left Parliament, Laws remained involved in politics, managing New Zealand First's successful campaign in the 1996 elections. Later, he was an advisor to Neil Kirton, who emerged as New Zealand First's leading dissident — Laws' association with Kirton proved a considerable irritant to the National Party, which was in coalition with New Zealand First. Later, he worked in the public relations industry. He eventually became a broadcaster, working in both radio and television. He has written three books — the first, The Demon Profession, is a political memoir, offering what Laws says is an inside view into the real workings of politics.

In 2004, Laws returned to politics, contesting and winning the mayoralty of Wanganui.

External link

• Official website