Bill English MP National Party Deputy Leader

29 May 2008

Election laws would make life tricky for Benson-Pope

National Party Deputy Leader Bill English says David Benson-Pope might face real difficulties if he was to campaign as an independent Labour candidate in Dunedin.

"It's not entirely clear how Mr Benson-Pope could legally stand as an independent and advocate a party vote for Labour."

Mr English is referring to media reports today that Mr Benson-Pope will run against Labour Party candidate Clare Curran in the Dunedin South seat.

"This sort of confusion is more evidence that Labour's self-serving Electoral Finance Act is silencing those who wish to participate in our democracy.

"We are halfway through the regulated period and still there is more uncertainty around the Electoral Finance Act than there is certainty.

"It has become so ridiculous that unions, which would normally be able to voice an opinion in election year, could find themselves in breach of the law if they are unsuccessful in registering to become third parties.

"Labour's Electoral Finance Act is a total shambles."

ENDS

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