22 September 2004

Tamihere not going on Labour List

It's first past the post or not at all for Tamaki Makaurau MP John Tamihere in next year's general election.

The outspoken Cabinet Minister's electorate committee chairman, Mike Tolich, announced today that Mr Tamihere will not be seeking a place on the Labour Party List.

This was decided last night at a meeting of the Tamaki Makaurau Labour Electorate Committee executive, and will be confirmed at the committee's annual general meeting on October 8.

Mr Tolich said the electorate team was 100 per cent behind Mr Tamihere's intention to seek the mandate of voters for his third term in Parliament, and as a consequence he would not be taking or relying on a list position.

"We have a strong electorate organisation that fully endorses the stand of our member," Mr Tolich said.

In both previous elections Mr Tamihere has relied on a majority vote to win his seats.

He said today that he had always considered it preferable to get the mandate of his constituents. "I have always counted it important to have the respect and backing of people at the grassroots level, because this is what empowers me in Parliament," he said.

Asked if the announcement meant he was now embarking on his 2005 election campaign trail, Mr Tamihere said: "As always in Tamaki Makaurau, the Labour campaign started on the morning after the last election."

ENDS

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