Shelby
The National Party’s horror run with young male MPs and candidates continues.
The latest is a hitherto unknown bloke by the name of Jake Bezzant. He’s a supposedly bright young tech whizz-kid who was picked to move into Paula Bennett’s seat of Upper Harbour.
I am delighted to announce Jake Bezzant who has been selected as the National Candidate for Upper Harbour ahead of 2020…
Posted by Paula Bennett on Monday, 9 December 2019
As the former Deputy-Leader held the seat with a majority of 9556, it’s highly likely Bezzant will win the seat and become a Member of Parliament after October 17.
But should he even stand? Should National move now and replace him before any further embarrassment is revealed?
Victoria Young from Business desk reported this week:
Upper Harbour candidate Bezzant, standing in the winnable Auckland electorate vacated by former deputy leader Paula Bennett, departed parking technology company Parking Sense over “disagreements” with the board of the company he claims to have co-founded.
Hmmm. Sounds like he might have been just a touch economical with the truth when it comes to his business background.
BusinessDesk has also viewed a letter sent to senior National Party MPs, dated July 19, 2020, which claims Bezzant overstated his business experience.
“I do suggest you clarify the circumstances around his removal as CEO of Parking Sense, and subsequent departure from that company.
“I urge you to investigate his CV in more detail and talk to those who have worked with him.”
Bezzant has claimed he was a co-founder of the company Parking Sense and that it grew from the “lounge of his university flat.” But company records say that is a complete lie. This from the man who did co-found the company, Paul Collins.
“Jake joined the company as an employee about six months after we founded it, at a point when the development of the system was already well-advanced. He was not involved during his university days,” Collins stated when asked by BusinessDesk.
Then Bezzant left the company after its poor performance in the US where he was the regional CEO.
Approached by BusinessDesk, the co-founder of Parking Sense, Paul Collins stated Bezzant left “following disagreement with the board regarding his management of contracts and representation of their value.”
A former Parking Sense executive said projects touted by Bezzant were “pure fantasy.”
This guy sounds like trouble. Once a fantasist, always a dreamer.
But the National Party hierarchy, again, have their heads in the sand. President Peter Goodfellow and Leader Judith Collins say he’s been investigated and found there are no issues worth worrying about.
National Party president Peter Goodfellow said the party was made aware of “some issues” concerning Bezzant earlier this year and carried out an investigation.
“There were some issues raised to the Party in June about Jake Bezzant which were thoroughly investigated,” Goodfellow said.
“As a result, National accepts Jake’s position about his time at Parking Sense.”
“Jake is concentrating on campaigning in Upper Harbour and being elected as its MP next month.”
Bezzant has been asked for further comment.
National leader Judith Collins was asked about the allegations at a media standup on Monday.
She said Bezzant was “fine” and she had spoken to him about the matter.
Have these people not learned the lessons of Aaron Gilmore, Andrew Falloon, Todd Barclay and Jami-Lee-Ross? Add in Hamish Walker and the Nats have a sordid history with those 20 and 30 something males who make it to Wellington.
Bezzant will be almost certainly in Parliament before the end of the year.
Will he breathe through his nose and survive to have a successful political career? Or will the leopard not change its spots and will his hubris, exaggeration and untruthfulness catch up with him?
I know where my bet would be laid.
Judith, you have been warned.
If you enjoyed this BFD article please share it.