Timaru by-election

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 18

Timaru by-election

Sir, — Your report of the Bob Jones foray into Timaru (May 23) shows him in fine acrobatic form, repeating the approach that diverted so many electors in last year’s topsy-turvy election. One must admit that “standing politics on its head” is a fairly “honest” description of his 1984 efforts — first his open backing of Labour, followed by Labour’s incredible adoption of his anti-worker economic recipe. Now Mr Jones wants Timaru’s gratitude, by delivering up its Parliamentary representation — and for what? Another member of the Clayton’s Opposition he so derides, and one even more committed to supporting the Government’s economic policies? “We could take the cop-out way like the other parties,” trumpets Mr Jones to his up-market audience — and cops out completely on depressed wages, high mortgage interest rates, and out-of-control cost-price inflation.

All this, and sustained personal attack and ridicule of opponents under a new catch-cry — “Honesty is the key issue.” Did his organisers pay entertainment tax? — Yours, etc R. G. THOMSON. May 23, 1985.