Shane Jones not a runner

Shane Jones will not run as NZ First’s candidate for the Whangarei seat, according to Chris Leitch, Deputy Leader of Democrats for Social Credit.

Party insiders have confided that Winston Peters does not want former Labour Cabinet Minister Shane Jones, and that an announcement will be made in Whangarei this week.

“Winston is continuing to rise in the polls and may have a significant say in the shape of the next government.

“He knows that having a candidate who used his ministerial credit card to rent porno movies would lose him the female vote in Whangarei, and across the country as well.

“That would be the end of his chances of playing a major part in government after September 23rd.

“On top of that his party’s credibility on its opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement would take a serious hit if it had Jones as a candidate given his public support for the TPPA.

“Voters will remember that Shane Jones chaired the Hui in Whangarei run by MFAT to convince Maori leaders in Northland that they should buy into the TPPA. He backed it 100 percent.

“Winston has played a clever game with the media, extracting maximum coverage for months over speculation that Jones might stand.

“But that has come to an end: D Day is this week.

“Winston knows a liability when he sees one. Jones will not run in Whangarei - he’s been scratched.”

ENDS

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