Aotearoa decides
Paul Goldsmith says he doesn't understand why David Seymour wants to remain Epsom MP
National MP Paul Goldsmith, a long serving list MP for the party, is continuing to try and topple ACT leader David Seymour as the MP for Epsom.
Goldsmith, today, posted a video endorsement from former prime minister Sir John Key. It was Key, as National leader, who gave the Epsom electorate to ACT - with the famous "cup of tea" deal.
National now wants to win the seat, because its popularity has fallen so far that Goldsmith - a senior MP - is unlikely to be getting back on the party list.
Key had a cup of tea with former ACT leader John Banks, to encourage Epsom voters to strategically vote and support ACT instead of National with their electorate vote when that party was polling under 5%.
Key posed with Goldsmith today, telling National voters they should back a National candidate.
Goldsmith said it was clear his position, and the positions of other National MPs, were no longer secure.
"I mean, let's just state the obvious: The National Party list is not as certain as it was in the past. Epsom voters have always had a National MP and an ACT MP, and if you want to be certain of that, then a candidate vote for Goldsmith in Epsom is necessary," he said.
He said he did not understand why the ACT Party was campaigning hard to win the electorate again.
"I can't work out their logic. It makes no sense," he said.
But in other seats, the National Party has effectively railed against "so-called strategic voting".
Goldsmith, today, posted a video endorsement from former prime minister Sir John Key. It was Key, as National leader, who gave the Epsom electorate to ACT - with the famous "cup of tea" deal.
National now wants to win the seat, because its popularity has fallen so far that Goldsmith - a senior MP - is unlikely to be getting back on the party list.
Key had a cup of tea with former ACT leader John Banks, to encourage Epsom voters to strategically vote and support ACT instead of National with their electorate vote when that party was polling under 5%.
Key posed with Goldsmith today, telling National voters they should back a National candidate.
Goldsmith said it was clear his position, and the positions of other National MPs, were no longer secure.
"I mean, let's just state the obvious: The National Party list is not as certain as it was in the past. Epsom voters have always had a National MP and an ACT MP, and if you want to be certain of that, then a candidate vote for Goldsmith in Epsom is necessary," he said.
He said he did not understand why the ACT Party was campaigning hard to win the electorate again.
"I can't work out their logic. It makes no sense," he said.
But in other seats, the National Party has effectively railed against "so-called strategic voting".
The moment John Key had a cup of tea with former ACT leader John Banks. David White / Stuff