Labour out of race
By KAY FORRESTER Labour will not contest the Christchurch mayoralty. The executive of the Canterbury Regional Council of the party opted last evening not to fight a mayoralty campaign. Mr David Close, who wanted party backing as the mayoral candidate, believes it is the wrong decision for the party, but he will accept it. He has no plans to lobby to have the council's recommendation overturned when it is put to the next area conference of the party in July. He had asked for a meeting of the regional council executive to determine what the party would do as it was important the party confirmed its intentions.
Mr Close did not attend last evening’s executive meeting. He said the decision would
have useful spin-offs. It would give him more time to devote to his health interests and the Canterbury Area Health Board, formed yesterday. Mr Close plans to take an active role in the party’s campaign for seats on the new Christchurch City Council. He will be standing for a council seat.
The chairman of the regional council, Mr Peter Dyhrberg, said he had called last evening’s meeting because the controversy of the party’s mayoralty campaign had become an unwarranted distraction from the real issues of the Labour local, regional and health campaigns. Mr Close had also asked for a decision.
Mr Dyhrberg said the council’s recommendation not to run a mayoral campaign was not a
reflection on Mr Close.
He was pleased Mr Close’s strengths in the health area could be put to good use. He would stand with party support in the area health board elections.
Mr Dyhrberg said it was unlikely the party would endorse any of the mayoral candidates.
Mr Close’s was the only nomination the party had received for the mayoral candidacy. An earlier contender, Ms Vicki Buck, opted to stand as an independent in April when she seemed unlikely to get the Labour candidacy ahead of Mr Close.
Ms Buck last evening applauded the Labour decision to opt out of the race as “sensible, realistic and brave.”
Sir Hamish Hay was surprised at the Labour move. He said he felt sorry for Mr Close, a man who was loyal to his party.
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Press, 2 June 1989, Page 1
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372Labour out of race Press, 2 June 1989, Page 1
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