PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PAUL ADAMS

20 September 2007

The news this morning that my former colleague Gordon Copeland has withdrawn from the proposed new Christian Party prior to its launch greatly saddens me.

Along with others in the Christian community, I have been part of the process over the last 18 months working towards a unified Christian-based political vehicle. It was very apparent to me leading up to the last election, that the Christian public of New Zealand wanted a single voice.

The process to this point had included Destiny New Zealand leader Richard Lewis and Taito Philip Field, who were the Christian players in the political scene keen to see this emerge. Gordon Copeland and Larry Baldock became a part of these discussions when Gordon defected from United Future.

The National Advisory Council of the forming party was totally unanimous in appointing the leadership of the new party several months ago. These were Men and Women who were representative of what I saw as the wider Christian commumity in New Zealand. Such a unity in the appointment of a leadership team is something I had not seen in Christian circles previously. Part of the agreed process included the de-registration of Destiny New Zealand to allow the formation of the new, single Christian political vehicle.

What the media appears to be missing, is that last Tuesday’s Destiny New Zealand announcement pertained ‘only’ to its de-registration and ‘not’ the launch of the new political vehicle. I believe it was quite correct that Destiny did not reveal the full leadership of the new party as they were dealing with there de-registration. Yet for their own member’s sake, and for transparency with the New Zealand public, it was only correct to reveal their roles in the new political vehicle. Not to do so would have posed more questions than answers. I feel that transparency in politics is something that has been sadly lacking.

The launch of the new party was planned to be in 4-6 weeks time. Only then would the public see all the players that are involved.

I was looking forward to working with both Gordon and Richard to build an entirely new party to contest the 2008 election.

For my part, I still want to see this party emerge, as I believe our nation needs such a party. Personally I will do everything within my ability to bring forward the unified vehicle that it needs to be.

ENDS

© Scoop Media