Long term Party Activist to Challenge Incumbent MP for Electorate

Auckland, 2 July 2004 - A bold challenge to the safe seat of Tamaki, currently held by Clem Simich, was announced today by a fellow Party member seeking selection as the next National candidate for the electorate at the next general election.

Margaret Voyce, a telecommunications Account manager and long time National Party member with local body political experience believes that the time is right to contest the Tamaki seat.

"For many years Tamaki has been a safe National seat. That can't be taken for granted. National needs to field its best candidate to win in 2005," says Voyce.

"The National Party believes in choice and it believes in quality. The Tamaki electorate deserves both. To ensure it gets them both, there needs to be an open and contested selection process. I'm standing for selection to provide choice and quality for the people of Tamaki. I want to open up the contest."

Voyce says that the future of National lies in attracting the best men and women from all walks of life to stand for a party that rewards initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.

"The days of winning a safe seat and staying there for life are over. It is essential for the ongoing success of the National Party and for democracy that each electorate MP is open to challenge every three years both at the general election as well as at the party selection process."

"Incumbency is not a ticket to a job (for life) in the National Party.

"The people of Tamaki deserve best. My goal is to ensure that the National candidate is the best person available. I'm putting my name forward - and I invite others of calibre to do the same," says Voyce.

Voyce also says that for too long many incumbent MPs have assumed that the job is theirs until they are ready to give it up.

"Incumbency is not good enough. Tamaki electors want an advocate, someone to stand up for them, someone to represent their interests. They also want a leader - someone to inspire, someone to feel proud of. It is 12 years since National Party members in Tamaki had a choice. National is the party of choice. And I'm providing them with that choice. May the best person win!"

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