SOME might think that a victory through your own casting vote doesn’t exactly come with a huge stamp of authority. Others will say all that matters is the result. A win is a win is a win.

Christchurch council leader Ray Nottage last night fought off a leadership challenge in which exactly half of his own councillors voted for the other candidate.

Be that as it may, he will now lead the Christchurch Conservatives on the council into the elections in May 2015. By all accounts he has promised to adopt a more conciliatory approach with the public. Certainly, that would be a good start.