The Standard is calling it a damned close election. Let's compare Labour's previous thumpings with last night's.
1975 Rowling thumped by Muldoon. National 47.6 percent of the vote, Labour 39.6
1990 Moore thumped by Bolger. National 47.8 percent, Labour 35.1
2008 Clark thumped by Key. National 45.5, Labour 33.8
As a percentage of the vote, Labour's 2008 result was the worst in a long time. Aside from 1996, when Labour received only 28.2 percent as the vote splintered with all the newbie minor parties, it is the lowest percentage of the vote since 1928.
