"The sudden withdrawal of Phillida Bunkle from Wellington Central appears to be an act of desperation," said ACT Leader and Wellington Central MP Hon Richard Prebble today.

"Just 7 days ago at the TV3 leaders debate Jim Anderton, in front of the party leaders, assured John Campbell that Phillida Bunkle would not withdraw, that the Alliance would give the voters of Wellington Central a choice.

"What has happened to cause today's U-turn? The realisation that it is ACT that is raising the real issues and positive solutions.

"Phillida's so-called survey of Wellington Central was bogus - no independent scrutiny, no time for voters to reply. The decision to withdraw was made by the Alliance central committee with no local input.

"Mr Anderton may be able to bully his MPs as Pam Corkery claims, but he cannot bully the voters of Wellington Central.

"Judging by the feedback to my campaign committee, the Alliance has just increased my majority," said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>