Thursday 4 July 2002

The Labour Party is sending one of its second term MPs to promote the Labour message to the estimated 100,000 New Zealanders in London entitled to enrol and vote in the July 27 General Election.

Christchurch Central MP, Tim Barnett and Chair of Parliament’s powerful Justice and Electoral Committee, is taking a four day break from his hectic Christchurch programme to spend two days in London, July 9 and 10.

Labour Party President, Mike Williams says the initiative is indicative of Labour’s determination to leave no stone unturned in our promotion of the Labour Party vote for July 27.

“The London kiwi community is switched on and deeply interested and influenced by Government policy here. We have a success story to tell and Tim will be a great messenger and advocate for Labour in London”, said Mr Williams.

Tim Barnett says he is honoured to be asked to spread the good news to kiwis living in the UK but who are still able to take part in the election back home. He says the British media are fascinated by the success story of NZ Labour in recent years and by the popularity of the Labour leader Helen Clark.

“We want to translate the pride that engenders in kiwis living abroad into votes for Labour”.

While in London Tim Barnett will:

- Represent Labour in an inter-party debate hosted by NZ News UK (10 July)

- Brief and train NZ Labour members and supporters in London to be New Zealand community canvassers for Labour

- Visit Kiwi London venues to promote the Labour message

- Meet one-to-one with prominent New Zealanders based in London

- Liaise with the UK Labour Party

- Talk with the UK media.

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