Alliance Candidates Span Generations

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday 29 August 2008

The Alliance Party is fielding candidates in the general election whose life experience ranges from active duty in World War 2 to youth spokespeople who co-ordinated the Alliance 2008 manifesto.

The most experienced Alliance candidate is Eric Gamble of Christchurch, aged 84. At list position 30, Mr Gamble is a long shot for Parliament but has a strong commitment to the Alliance Party.

Mr Gamble grew up in Hackney, east London and served as RAF aircrew from 1941-1947 during the Second World War.

Mr Gamble also served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and worked in civil aviation until his retirement.

He was a founding member of the NewLabour Party (NLP) and Alliance, and received 1500 votes for the NLP in the Fendalton electorate in 1990.

Married with four children, three granddaughters and one great-granddaughter, Mr Gamble believes the Alliance has a great future as the party for working people and those who seek a more civilized society.

At the other end of the age spectrum are Dunedin-based list candidates Matthew Stephen and Sarah Campbell.

Sarah Campbell (23) is number 8 on the Alliance Party list and is co-spokesperson for youth. She is a postgraduate student at the Department of Politics, University of Otago.

Matthew Stephen (22) is number 20 on the Alliance Party list, as well as climate change spokesperson and youth co-spokesperson. He is currently a tutor and research assistant in Politics at the University of Otago and recently completed his Masters degree.

Ms Campbell and Mr Stephen serve as the Alliance Party's policy co-ordinators and were responsible for producing the comprehensive Alliance Party 2008 manifesto.

What brings three people with a six decade age difference together to stand for the centre left Alliance Party?

All three candidates agree that it is Alliance Party goals of quality public health, free education, secure jobs, affordable housing and a fairer society, policies that are about putting people first.

ENDS

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