Epsom Labour Campaign Media Release
19 May 2014
John Banks spectacle shows it is time to end the Epsom rort
With the spectacle of ACT MP for Epsom John Banks standing trial today, the newly selected Labour candidate for Epsom
Michael Wood is vowing to end the ACT Party rort in Epsom.
“The ACT Party is a political corpse. It survives only through a distasteful manipulation of the electoral system and a
sweetheart deal to gift them the parliamentary seat of Epsom. ACT has turned Epsom into New Zealand’s ‘rotten borough’
and this needs to end” says Michael Wood.
“Epsom residents have been humiliated by the incompetent and boorish antics of ACT time and again. Mr Banks’ trial for
electoral fraud is a new low, but is not an isolated incident; from Rodney Hide getting busted for his use of perks, to
the new ACT leader making bizarre philosophical statements about brothers and sisters loving each other in a whole new
way”
“For a party that favours a hard-nosed, no hand-outs, free market approach, it is utter hypocrisy that they expect to
get away with this behaviour, and then be gifted Epsom.”
“Epsom people deserve better. This election is the opportunity for Epsom people to vote to end the farce and the
embarrassment of representation by ACT. That is the only way we will achieve dignified and honourable representation for
Epsom”
“I look forward to campaigning for the Labour Party vote in Epsom and to ending ACT’s rort of the system. The Banks
trial should be the nail in the coffin of a party whose dignity died long ago”, says Michael Wood.
ENDS