The public should not underestimate seriousness of a Labour front bench MP resigning a portfolio over policy differences less than 100 days before an election, says ACT Leader Richard Prebble

"If the Opposition received the same media scrutiny as the Government then the public would be aware of the huge rifts and divisions within the Parliamentary Labour party," Mr Prebble said.

"Labour has basically abandoned the rural vote.

"Helen Clark and Michael Cullen have determined that the next election will be won in the suburbs of Auckland and Labour's forestry policy is all about winning the Titirangi electorate and nothing to do with a sensible primary sector policy.

"Dr Cullen's speeches where he openly attacks the primary sector is also based on the cynical belief that votes in Auckland come ahead of sound economic policy.

"The ACT Party is sending is deputy leader Ken Shirley to the West Coast today. Ken Shirley has already made many visits to the West Coast and ACT MPs have made more visits to the West Coast and held more listening meetings with the local people than all the other political parties put together.

"ACT believes that we are going to win the list vote on the West Coast, as the only party that has listened to the West Coasters and has the courage to stand up for their right to exist."

ENDS

© Scoop Media