8 October 1999

Don't despair, David!

National MP David Carter has got it wrong when he claims that I have withdrawn from the race for the Banks Peninsula seat in this election, says Green Party MP Rod Donald.

"I'm leaving my name on the ballot paper for those people who want the choice but the most important vote is the party vote and that is what I'm campaigning for - not only in Banks Peninsula but throughout the whole country," Mr Donald says.

"I can understand Carter's desperation because he knows that if I did withdraw his defeat ought to be a certainty, but I have to tell him he can relax because my name will still be on the ballot paper."

Mr Carter's confusion stems from a report in The Christchurch Press which says Green MP Rod Donald intends to allow Labour a clear run in Banks Peninsula.

"Last time I won over 7000 electorate votes. This time I'm telling all those people who support me that the way to re-elect me is to vote Green with their party vote."

"By saying that, I'm also saying that Labour's Ruth Dyson is the only person who can beat Carter at this year's election.

"She ought to be able to pull it off because her 30 per cent plus my 19 per cent beats Carter's 41 per cent.

"Even David can figure out what's likely to happen, which is why he is so worried."

If Dyson doesn't win this time, Mr Donald says he will "go for broke" against Mr Carter at the following election.

Mr Donald is confident that the Green Party - campaigning from a 2.5-3 per cent vote in the current polls - will cross the five per cent threshold, as well as winning Coromandel.

"It's been our party strategy all along to win Coromandel and to campaign solely for the party vote everywhere else," he said.

ENDS

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