Will Benson-Pope go Independent?
The NZ Herald refers to speculation that David Benson-Pope might stand as an Independent if he does not get selected as the Labour candidate.
If he does, he wouldn’t be the first to do that. When Brian Neeson lost the Helensville nomination to John Key, Neeson eventually defected and stood as an Independent.
Of course both National and Labour nomination forms require you to swear that if unsuccessful you will not stand in opposition to the winning candidate. In fact you pledge to support them.
I’m a traditionalist when it comes to breaking a signed declaration and believe that doing so should make you ineligible to ever rejoin the party.
UPDATE: NZPA reports that Benson-Pope has now stated he will definitely not stand as an Independent is not selected as the Labour candidate. Of course if he said anything else he would be sacked from the Caucus immediately, but I suspect he is telling the truth – he has been a long standing loyal member of Labour.
November 10th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Well I certainly hope he does, will split the labour vote nicely.
November 10th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Dunedin South for Labour is like what Clutha Southland is to National.
Whoever wins is simply more lobby fodder for Labour.
Labour field very mixed and lacks high class community representation. Labour will still win,independent or not.
November 10th, 2007 at 9:46 am
That seat is as safe for Labour as houses – it would take a three way split for the right to even have a chance.
TBFH: The nominated candidate will get elected. People know why DBP hasn’t been re-selected. It’s not like Dunedin is completely sheared off from the body politic.
November 10th, 2007 at 10:24 am
A split?!
Who on Earth would vote for him?
(Wilson employees aside.)
November 10th, 2007 at 11:41 am
National should run a highly publicised contest of this seat, using as many opportunities as possible to keep the name of Bensn-Pope in the media. There is more than one way to ‘win” in a democracy…
November 10th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
It actually doesnt matter if labour still win, DBP is the gift that keeps on giving, and the embarrassment of why he was ditched, and the untidiness of how will just keep labour’s bad behaviour all over the media – and consequently may influence voter behaviour elsewhere
I can’t see how its a loser
Of course I suspect that DBP spread the rumour himself to bolster his negotiating position for his sinecure retirement posting
November 10th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
PSB’s statement doesn’t make it clear whether he refutes the suggestion, or specifically denies that he would ever stand as an independent.
November 10th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Toby QED
what would you do if you had no career, no future and were unemployable?
I guess gimp doesnt pay well and has limited benefits. So this is DBP’s last throw of the dice
I would play hardball (sic!) wouldnt you?
November 10th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Obviously DBP has cleaned out his cupboard of skeletons.
He certainly was hung onto by H1 for a very long time and I often wondered what he knows about H1 that he is sitting on that she desperately hung onto him and the “Albatross around the neck” that went with it.
November 10th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Wwwhhhhaaaaatttttttt………………..
you think benson Pope is telling the truth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
He’s a gravy trainer, not an MP of integrity and scruples.
He will never go independent.
November 10th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Not independant no.
The dress me in panties and spank me party, perhaps!
November 10th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
there really is no reply to that.
November 11th, 2007 at 8:15 am
DPF: “…he [David Benson-Pope] has been a long standing loyal member of Labour.”
David, shouldn’t that be: “…a long lying member of Labour.”?
Or perhaps: “… a long standing lying member of Labour.”?
Or maybe: “a lying long standing member of Labour.”?
Actually, on reflection they are all probably all correct.
November 11th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Lee C: “there really is no reply to that.”
I think that there might be. The DMIPASM Party could attract a lot of support from that section of the community that lives in a world of fantasy, enjoys deviant behaviour, and generally bludges off the taxpayer (such as flying to BDSM appointments at taxpayers’ expense).
Yipes, look at that! I’ve just described Labour’s voter base!
November 11th, 2007 at 8:35 am
oh and wasnt DBP a former Chief Whip (sic) that means he should know where all the bodies are buried.
I sense a rather fine set of chairmanships and possibly an overseas posting coming up for that man…
November 12th, 2007 at 9:39 am
“Of course both National and Labour nomination forms require you to swear that if unsuccessful you will not stand in opposition to the winning candidate. In fact you pledge to support them.”
I’m not sure of the legal status of this. I think that was ruled illegal in Peters vs Collinge 1993.