Labour MP and Wellington Central candidate Marian Hobbs today commended plans by Alliance MP Phillida Bunkle to ask voters opinions on whether she should withdraw her electorate candidacy.

"I commend Phillida for the principled way the Alliance is reaching its decision on the Wellington Central issue. It stands in stark contrast to the autocratic way National and Act have attempted to gerrymander a centre-right win in the electorate.

"My campaign office has been bombarded with calls in recent weeks urging co-operation between Alliance and Labour on Wellington Central. Labour and the Alliance are united in their desire to see the defeat of this government. We all want a better society for New Zealanders.

"Voters in Wellington Central are clearly swinging behind me to ensure the defeat of Richard Prebble and I welcome their support.

"I think it does make sense to restore the political balance destroyed by National and Act's backroom dealing by putting up only one strong candidate from the centre-left and I urge Wellingtonians to respond positively to Phillida Bunkle's initiative," Ms Hobbs said.

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