Mr Anderton likely Sydenham frontrunner

Press, 15 July 1983, Page 1

Mr Anderton likely Sydenham frontrunner

Parliamentary reporter

Mr J. P. Anderton, president of the Labour Party, has announced that he will offer himself for selection as the party’s Sydenham candidate.

Mr Anderton said the reaction from Sydenham Labour supporters to the possibility of his nomination influenced his decision. “I have been encouraged to offer myself by ordinary party members in the electorate, and by people who have given much time and effort on the party’s behalf,” he said last evening.

“Had I been faced with adverse comment from the electorate, it would have influenced my decision.”

The member of Parliament for Sydenham, Mr John Kirk, had been the only source of opposition. Mr Anderton said he was encouraged by his family, friends, and political associates. He expected no special treatment in the selection process.

“I am simply a potential Parliamentary candidate who will neither ask or expect any special privileges or favours.”

Mr Anderton will still stand for a fifth term as party president at the annual conference in September. “If I am re-elected this would be my last term,” he said. The term would expire before the General Election in 1984.

Although he had informed Labour’s Parliamentary leaders of his decision, he had not consulted them beforehand.

“It is not appropriate for me to seek either positive or negative reaction, nor would I expect them to offer it,” he said. The most difficult aspects

were weighing up his family and business responsibilities in the four days since he became aware of Mr Kirk’s decision to retire.

“I am now prepared, if given the opportunity, to take into the Parliamentary arena whatever skill and energy I possess,” he said.

Mr Anderton did not agree that his status and celebrity would make the selection a one-horse race.

“When you are the frontrunner you have difficulties, I think that is a matter of political history,” he said.

“For good or for ill the people know what I stand for. They will also know all about the local candidates. I think that is fair.

. “They will have a very good, clear choice. The better informed people are, the more likely they are to make the best choice.” He said his decision also hinged on Sydenham’s being a safe Labour seat.

In June he ruled out standing in any of the Auckland marginals because the commitment required would make it impossible for him to run his business and maintain his party presidency. He would also not run against a sitting Labour member.

Sydenham therefore fulfilled his requirements as a safe vacant seat, he said. The Labour Party Leader, Mr Lange, said he did not agree that Mr Anderton could be labelled a carpetbagger.

“It is a matter for that electorate to judge,” Mr Lange said. “Because of the security of the seat they are actually making a judgment which has implications transcending their immediate electorate, which would allow the possibility of someone coming in from outside it.”

Reporters revealed the president’s announcement to Mr Lange, who said he would have expected to have been advised by Mr Anderton of his intentions. Mr Lange said that he was not disappointed and not surprised that he had not been informed. He also said he was certain that “very serious thought will be given as to whether the role of candidate is compatible with the role of president.” Mr Anderton this year faces a challenge for his job as president of the party from the member of Parliament for Eastern Maori, Dr Peter Tapsell.