Green Party Takes Strategic Stand In Wellington Central With Sue Kedgley

The Green Party plans to strategically target Wellington Central by standing only a list candidate - high profile author, safe food campaigner and Green city councillor Sue Kedgley - in the key seat.

The move is aimed to maximise the Green Party list vote and to stop the anti-Prebble vote being split, said Green Co-Leader Rod Donald.

"We hope Labour and the Alliance will act on our initiative by giving voters a clear indication of which candidate they should vote for to defeat Prebble. Wellington Central is their chance to demonstrate they are capable of working together in Government."

Mr Donald said Wellington Central was the only seat where the Green Party had deliberately decided not to stand a constituency candidate.

"However, we intend to run a high-profile and vigorous campaign for the list vote. We have, traditionally, done very well in Wellington Central."

In 1990, the last time the Green Party stood in its own right in the electorate, it polled 14.4% of the party vote. "We have set ourselves that target again," said Mr Donald.

Ms Kedgley said there was a high level of awareness and commitment to Green issues in the electorate. "There's a recognition out there that there has to be a radical change of direction in our society for the new millennium," she said.

"We're the only party with a real vision for the future. We have policies which offer positive long-term solutions to issues that affect our children's future - we're taking a lead on genetic engineering, safe food, public transport, energy efficiency and social issues neglected by the other parties."

Ms Kedgley said five to 10 Green MPs in Parliament would work well with a centre-left coalition and ensure that critical environmental and social issues were progressed.

"Green parties are exerting a positive influence already as part of eight coalition governments in Europe and we are saying to New Zealanders, 'we can do that for you here, too.'"

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