9th May 2002

After a triumphant Staunch Alliance Gathering, youth wing members from around the country have returned home invigorated and looking forward to the upcoming election campaign.

"We are feeling really positive about the future of our organisation, the Alliance and the left in New Zealand in general," said Sam Huggard, National Co-Spokesperson. "One of our first new campaigns will be distributing an "Alliance - Under New Management" leaflet on campuses around the country, to keep students aware of what has been going on"

Around 30 staunchies travelled from across the country to sunny Palmerston North for a weekend of politics, participation, and election campaign planning.

Topics covered included tertiary education, peace, campaigning, Palestine/Israel, the 2002 General Election, internal structures of the Alliance and candidacies for the election.

Two National Spokespeople were also elected; Sam Huggard from Dunedin, and Julie Fairey from Auckland. Both are in the candidate pool for the General Election and they will also share the Staunch position on the Alliance National Council.

"We intend to be active on campuses and elsewhere, spreading the Alliance message of free health, free education and eradication of poverty," said Julie Fairey, National Co-Spokesperson. "The Alliance has the best policy for youth, for young workers, and for those young people who are currently falling through the cracks. By supporting the Alliance with their party vote, young people will be safe-guarding their future."

Staunch Alliance is the youth and student wing of the Alliance Party, and also has a website at www.staunch.org.nz

Ends.

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