Suspension likely for party independent

Press, 22 August 1989, Page 8

Suspension likely for party independent

PA Auckland A senior Labour Party member, Dr Bruce Hucker, could be suspended for declaring he would stand for the new Auckland City Council as an independent candidate. Dr Hucker outlined his independent candidature plans after he was defeated on Sunday at a selection by party members loyal to tu~ Auckland Central M.P., Mr Richard Prebble. Labour rules ban members standing against official candidates. Dr Hucker, an Auckland City councillor

since 1986 and a member of Labour’s executive and New Zealand ruling council, had hoped the party would grant him dispensation to run as an independent The Hucker defeat was regarded as the latest chapter in a struggle for political control in the electorate of Mr Prebble. A meeting of the Labour local body committee took less than an hour yesterday to oust Dr Hucker as a Western Bays ward candidate for the new city council. Labour’s rules state a party member cannot stand against aqfendorsed candidate. In such

circumstances suspension is automatic. While Dr Hucker believes he might get dispensation, senior party sources yesterday suggested it was not possible. Suspension would see Dr Hucker ousted from his party posts. His other option is to resign from the party which he joined in 1964. Dr Rucker's view is that the time has arrived for firm action from the party hierarchy, particularly over the High Court action involving Labour’s rules and the power of trade unions in the party.