The Race For Epsom

Monday 25th Oct 1999
Rodney Hide
Media Release -- Other

ACT Finance spokesman and Epsom candidate Rodney Hide today said that he had been overwhelmed by the support of Epsom voters following ACT leader Richard Prebble's announcement yesterday that ACT will go all the way to contest the seat of Epsom.

"Since Mayor Fletcher deserted the electorate I have been the MP for Epsom. The Epsom electorate has rewarded my support. I have been humbled by the calls for me to stand for the seat and the offers of help for my campaign.

"The people of Epsom are sick and tired of being taken for granted. They want an effective MP. They want someone who will stand up for them. They are angry that National's Richard Worth thinks he can just put up some billboards and expect to inherit the seat.

"I have news for Richard Worth. He is in for the battle of his life. I will be in each and every street. I have a full programme of house meetings and public meetings. I will be contacting every voter to ask for their support. I fully intend to win the seat and be Epsom's next MP.

"I challenge Richard Worth to front up to the voters he wants to represent to explain why they should vote for him. Everywhere I go through the electorate people are asking me, "Where's Richard Worth?" I have to tell them: he's busy campaigning in the Northern Club.

"I want the people of Epsom to vote for me because I am experienced, effective and proven. I have achieved in my first three years in Parliament. I will achieve much more in the next three years.

"My values are Epsom values. These are the values of hard work, thrift and enterprise.

"ACT's policies are Epsom's policies. These are the policies for positive change of low flat tax, tough on law and order, welfare that offers a hand-up not a hand-out, an education system that delivers for each and every child in the country, and a strict timetable to ensure the fair and final settlement of Treaty claims.

"Independent polling shows that I am coming a close second to Richard Worth. He's polling 31 percent - less than half the 69 percent Mayor Fletcher won when she stood for the seat in 1996. I am on 26 percent - within five percent of Richard. 23 percent of voters are still to make their mind up. Labour's David Jacobs is coming a distant third on 15 percent.

"It's a great race. The support is fantastic. I am just so proud to be doing so well. I am proud too that there is now every prospect that Epsom voters will reward my energy and commitment with the great privilege of representing them in Parliament as the MP for Epsom," said Rodney Hide.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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