Labour says merger makes its job easier

Press, 4 March 1989, Page 9

Labour says merger makes its job easier

The leader of the Christchurch City Council Labour team, Cr Alex Clark, has welcomed the merger of support for Sir Hamish Hay and Mrs Margaret Murray. “The merger of the two National Party fronts, the Citizens Association and the Waimairi Independence Team, was the best local political news of the year,” Cr Clark said yesterday. “This will make our task a thousand times easier and is a great compliment to our potential Mayoral candidates,” he said.

Cr Clark suggested the Citizens Association “wanted a bet both ways” by retaining Sir Hamish as candidate but securing Mrs Murray as a member of their team.

He labelled the Waimairi councillors — with the exception of Cr Brian Shackel — “political opportunists.” “It was very clear 18 months ago ... that Waimairi councillors had their eyes on the main chance as it affected the proposed new city. “The differences between their private views and public statements on amalgamation were staggering then. They are revealed for what they are — political opportunists.” Cr Clark said he felt for the residents of Waimairi and the elected members of smaller Christchurch councils. “They must feel humiliated and deceived.”

He said the public of

Christchurch could not be blamed for seeing the merger as an unholy alliance or a marriage of convenience. He was surprised that Mrs Murray had fallen for the arguments of the Citizens in a deal to “give a little muscle to the flagging leadership of Sir Hamish Hay.” “Only a week ago Mrs Murray was describing the leadership of the Christchurch City Council as weak and ineffectual. Her public credibility is shattered.” Cr Clark said: “The victor has tossed the defeated bridesmaid the empty offer of the noneventful deputy mayoralty. Events will show that Cr Murray was very foolish to have caught the bridal bouquet.”