ACT Confirms It Will Not Stand In New Plymouth: Report

Wellington – Public confirmation that ACT would stand aside in New Plymouth has done little to move the related iPredict stock, which would indicate the market, had already factored in the deal with National.

The Taranaki Daily News today reported that Labour’s candidate for the marginal electorate Andrew Little was crying foul over the "stitch-up" between National and ACT.

The local newspaper reported the man who had been lining up as the party's New Plymouth candidate said ACT would not be nominating a candidate.

ACT member and Bell Block businessman Kevin Moratti had been expected to announce his candidacy for the New Plymouth electorate in the coming weeks but yesterday confirmed he would not be standing in the city.

Mr Little told the Taranaki Daily News the move was a clear stitch-up, which wouldn't sit well with the city's voters.

National's Jonathan Young took the New Plymouth seat off Labour MP Harry Duynhoven with a majority of 105 votes in 2008.

The then ACT candidate, Chris Albers, secured 455 votes in the election.

The iPredict market was picking a closely run race between Young and Little until rumours emerged of polls in the seat putting Young well ahead of Little.

In recent days the probability of Young retaining the seat have been edging up on light trading as news emerged about ACT and National not running against each other in some marginal seats for the electorate vote.

The Taranaki Daily News said ACT leader Don Brash is visiting New Plymouth on August 15 when he is expected to officially confirm there will not be a candidate for the city's seat.

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