Early election date likely

Press, 27 June 1987, Page 1

Early election date likely

By

LINDA MILLAR,

NZPA

Chief political reporter Wellington The date of the General Election is expected to be announced either late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday next week. Speculation mounted at Parliament yesterday that the Government, buoyed by an opinion poll putting the Labour Party 26 points ahead of National, might be tempted to go to the polls earlier than previously intended. The Government has said it will call an election before September. . While pundits have been picking August 15, the Opposition has maintained that the Government will go to the voters on August 8. The Prime Minister’s office yesterday gave little detail of Mr Lange’s plans. But a spokesman said he intended discussing the date of the election with the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, when the Executive Council meets early on Monday afternoon at Parliament. Mr Lange’s office said it was not yet known whether Mr Lange would announce the election date soon after seeing the GovernorGeneral or make a statement to Parliament. He might wait and make the announcement on Wednesday.