Former MP to contest Wigram for Alliance Party

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday 6 October 2011

The Alliance Party has selected former MP Kevin Campbell as their candidate for the south Christchurch electorate of Wigram.

The surprise move will liven things up in the race for the electorate, which has been held by retiring MP Jim Anderton since 1990 as a NewLabour, Alliance and Progressive seat.

Mr Campbell says he believes the best chance for a change of Government at this election is for Labour to work with as many potential allies as it can have.

“Labour hasn’t had an MP in Wigram for over 20 years and this is an opportunity for them to have further co-operation with a re-vitalised Alliance after this election.”

“That possibility will depend on the people of Wigram seeing the wisdom in continuing to be represented with an Alliance MP prepared to work with Labour.”

Mr Campbell says he is committed to firstly serving Wigram as an electorate MP and secondly committing to the policies of the Alliance around a fairer society that puts people first.

“As a community lawyer presently leading a team of lawyers offering free legal help to earthquake victims in Christchurch I also think it is important that as many MPs from as many parties as possible are working together in the recovery of Christchurch, not just MPs from National and Labour.”

Mr Campbell says it is vitally important at this election that the great work begun by Jim Anderton in Wigram be continued.

“A political movement for the common good must be continued for the sake of the people of Wigram and all New Zealand. I was privileged to work with Jim and very pleased to have worked at times as an Alliance MP on Wigram electorate work.”

Mr Campbell says he has lived in the electorate for over 40 years previously, and was a fourth generation “Addingtonian”.

Mr Campbell is a former Alliance Party MP in Parliament from 1999–2002.

He is currently employed as the Managing Solicitor at Community Law Canterbury, where he has worked since 2002.

Mr Campbell has previously worked as a lawyer in private practice and served in the New Zealand Police Force (uniformed and CIB) where he qualified to rank of Sergeant.

When in Parliament, Kevin served as the Deputy Chair of the Commerce Select Committee and was a member of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee.

He also served on ACC (Transitional Provisions) Special Committee, Employment Relations, Government Administration (for Crimes Criminal Appeals), and Foreign Affairs.

Alliance Party co-leader Kay Murray says the Alliance was proud to have someone of Mr Campbell’s history and values standing for the party.

“Kevin is a committed worker for the community and we believe he would make an excellent contribution for the people of Wigram and New Zealand when he is returned to Parliament.”

The Alliance will announce further electorate candidates and party list soon.

ENDS

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