Key to Key being PM could lie in Tauranga and BOP Seats The Kiwi Party

Press Release
November 7,2008

The final TV One Colmar Brunton poll last night showed a very close race developing between the National and Labour led coalitions to form a government. The poll predicted a 62 Nat vs. 60 Lab result with a margin of error that could alter that figure anywhere between 64 Nat vs. 58 Lab to 60 Nat vs. 62 Lab.
With the number of undecided voters in the poll at 8% the gap between the two blocks could change even further. The decision as to who becomes our next Prime Minister and forms a government could quite realistically come down to 1 or two seats.

Kiwi Party Leader Larry Baldock today restated the point he has been making throughout the campaign, namely that the National Party could rue the day they decided to promote a two tick strategy in the Tauranga and BOP electorates.
The poll last week and the Kiwi Party's own polling confirms that if less than half the National voters in these two electorates voted strategically by giving their candidate vote to Larry Baldock in Tauranga and Tony Christiansen in the BOP, the Kiwi Party could win these seats.
Since its beginning last year the Kiwi Party has consistently stated it would not support a Helen Clark led government.

A victory in either Tauranga or the BOP seats could mean the addition of some list MPs as well, said Party Leader Larry Baldock.
“I am confident there is considerable support across the country for our values based party. Our 37 candidates have been receiving very positive responses to our policies and principles. The major hurdle for all minor parties is the question of whether the party will pass the threshold to gain seats in Parliament. The polls have consistently shown between 4-6% of Kiwis will vote to see the referendum on the anti-smacking law made binding. The Kiwi Party’s presence in Parliament would ensure that outcome.

“John Key made it clear the National Party was prepared to seek only the party vote in Ohariu to enable Peter Dunne to secure his seat there. A similar announcement here in the Bay of Plenty seats could be even more rewarding for the National Party.

“Most political commentators now consider Winston Peters to have no chance of reclaiming the Tauranga seat and Peter Brown likewise has no chance in the BOP. Our polling shows that motivational speaker and paralympian Tony Christiansen is ahead of the NZ First candidate.

“Tony Ryall needs to decide whether he should settle for being a list MP and the Minister of Health in a National led government rather than an electorate MP in opposition for another 3 years.
In a similar fashion Simon Bridges may end up winning the Tauranga seat only to find his ambition for the seat has cost National the election.

“If the National leadership will not make the call, perhaps the national voters in these electorates will make the decision for them and ensure they avoid a repeat of the 2005 election result,” said Mr Baldock.

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