Labour Leader Helen Clark said today that National's promotion of the Act candidate in Wellington Central left the way clear for middle-of-the-road National voters to support Marian Hobbs as their electorate MP.

"Feedback in Wellington Central suggests that many middle-of-the-road people who would normally vote National are not comfortable with National's endorsement of Mr Prebble.

"They've had three years to monitor his performance. It has consisted of a lot of grandstanding on secondary issues and the promotion of extremist policies.

"Middle-of-the-road voters are appalled by Act's harsh new right agenda of slashing government spending on health and education. For them, a Labour government is far more appealing than the prospect of Act leading National even further to the right.

"National's decision to stand down in favour of Mr Prebble makes it clear that the contest is one between Marian Hobbs and Richard Prebble.

"Labour will not be attempting to manipulate voters' choices by asking the Alliance candidate to withdraw. We believe that voters already perceive who the key contestants are, and will make their choice between the two of them.

"Marian Hobbs professional background and her performance as an MP makes her a highly credible candidate to be the next MP for Wellington Central," Helen Clark said.

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