The pledge by voters around the country to return Phillida Bunkle to parliament with a party vote for the Alliance has motivated her decision to withdraw from the ballot in Wellington Central.

Phil lida Bunkle sent out 22,000 letters asking Wellington Central voters whether they thought she should stand in the seat, and whether they would give their party vote to the Alliance.

'Voters felt very strongly that their democratic choice had been taken away by National's dirty deal with Richard Prebble,' Phillida Bunkle said.

'The Alliance has been careful to make a decision in a democratic way.

'Where National and Act cooked up a deal in a darkened room, we were guided by the views of Wellington voters in a democratic consultation process.'

Phillida Bunkle said she would campaign strongly to be returned through the party vote.

'I'm saying that if people like my record of standing up for the public health system, opposing the sale of the waterfront and parts of Civic Square and opposing GE foods and casinos, then return me to parliament with your party vote.

'I have been very pleased at the response from supporters around the country who have said they will switch their party vote to the Alliance in response to the democratic way we have made this decision.

'I believe I have been a most effective local MP. I've made this decision because I care about the people of Wellington central and I'll continue to care about the people of Wellington Central.

The deadline for nominations closes at midday today.

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