Berry Trumps Brash, but Conservatives unphased

Conservative Party Leader Colin Craig has responded this afternoon to comments publicised on the TVNZ website, made by Mr Berry, independent candidate for Tamaki.

“Clearly Mr Berry is competing with Dr Brash for the ‘pro-substance’ vote” says Mr Craig, “although I’m not sure how much a threat he is.”

“Perhaps Mr Berry is unaware of the fact that the taxpayers of New Zealand spend over 5 billion dollars annually picking up the pieces of the misuse of alcohol. Perhaps Mr Berry is also unaware of the medical fact that alcohol permanently damages brain development up until the ages of 22 to 24.”

“If Mr Berry had taken the time to consider the impact of alcohol on innocent people in our society, outlined in our recent brochure entitled “National Weak, Conservative Strong,” he would perhaps have arrived at a more rational view.”

“Perhaps Mr Berry will next be proposing a removal of all speed limits on our roads, which are clearly also an infringement of personal choice.”

“If TVNZ would be happy to host the debate Mr Berry has challenged me to, I should be very happy to attend” says Mr Craig.

ENDS