12 February 2008

Locke reselected as Epsom candidate

Green MP Keith Locke has again been selected as the Green candidate for Epsom at a meeting held last night in Greenlane.

Mr Locke, who lives in Mt Eden, was the party's Epsom candidate in the last election.

"Better public transport will be a major theme in my campaign," Mr Locke says.

"There have been improvements in bus and train services through the electorate, and I support the revamp of Newmarket railway station.

"But we are still a long way off a 21st century public transport system for Auckland.

"The $2.3 billion to extend the southwestern motorway to Waterview would be better spent on rail projects. Some of these would run through the Epsom electorate, such as the Britomart rail extension connecting with the western line at Mt Eden - already planned by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority.

Like other Green electorate candidates, Mr Locke will be campaigning for the party vote.

"If Epsom people want me back in Parliament their best bet is to party vote Green," said Mr Locke, who is a list MP.

Mr Locke says he looks forward to a respectful contest with the sitting MP, Rodney Hide, National's Richard Worth and Labour's Kate Sutton, and does not anticipate a repeat of his naked stroll down Broadway following the 2005 election.

ENDS

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