Media statement

For immediate release

Tuesday, 17 February 2004

United Future elects new party President

United Future New Zealand has elected former Wellington Mayor, Mark Blumsky, as party President, after the founding President, Ian ‘Inky’ Tulloch, stood down at the office bearer elections of the United Future Board of Management meeting held last weekend.

Mr Tulloch, of Mataura, who became the party’s inaugural President when United New Zealand and Future New Zealand merged in November 2000 said, “With the appointment of a Wellington-based CEO confirmed, the establishment and opening of a United Future national office in Wellington, and the ratification and scheduled meeting of the new National Council, I felt the time was right to stand down.

“Mark Blumsky has been elected as President and I have every confidence that his strong marketing and leadership skills from his Wellington base is what is required to continue to grow the party and its organisation into the next election.”

Ian Tulloch remains on the Board.

Party leader, Peter Dunne complimented Mr Tulloch for his efforts on behalf of the party. “Launching a new political party in the MMP environment is a particularly difficult task and I want to thank Inky for the hours of effort he put into United Future and helping it to achieve its significant position in Parliament today.”

The new President, Mark Blumsky, said he was excited about the party’s future as it prepares for the next election.

“It’s good to see that the voters, as shown in the last Colmar-Brunton poll, have recognised that there is a role for United Future in bringing stability and commonsense to government in New Zealand, while at the same time rejecting the extremist policies of ACT, New Zealand First and the Greens.

“As the true centrist party of New Zealand politics, United Future is well-placed to moderate the more fringe policies of Labour and National, while at the same time ensuring that the family becomes and remains the cornerstone of New Zealand society.”

ends

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