Media Release

13 December 1999

WHO WILL RID US OF THIS TROUBLESOME PRIEST?

The Rt Hon Winston Peters, MP for Tauranga, said today that the request of Labour’s candidate for an electoral recount is “bizarre”, preceding as it did, the National candidate’s concession just before noon.

“Under normal circumstances, it would be inconceivable that a party candidate who came in third, with no prospect of winning, should file for a recount, hoping that a mortal enemy will win,” said Mr Peters.

“It hardly bodes well for the new Government that the Attorney General begins her official duties by using public money and resources in the vain hope of gaining an advantage in Parliament for the Labour Party.

“The behaviour of Labour and National is indeed bizarre and puts one more in mind of Henry the Eighth than a political party heading into the 21st century.

“Tying up a Judge, the Returning Officer and staff, as well as party scrutineers will be a total waste of taxpayers’ money.

“The judicial recount will be much slower because of the logistics of the process and I trust the media will strongly condemn this waste of public money for purely political reasons,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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