Lining up for Te Atatu
October 7th, 2010 at 11:00 am by David FarrarStuff reports:
The race for Chris Carter’s plum Te Atatu seat is suddenly wide open after a rush of nominations.
Apart from Mr Carter, who is still seeking the nomination despite being expelled from the Labour caucus, it is believed six people are vying to stand in the seat for Labour at the next election.
Among those believed to have thrown their hats into the ring are list MPs Phil Twyford and Darien Fenton and former Epsom candidate Kate Sutton. Another of Labour’s 2008 candidates, Hamish McCracken, could also be in the mix.
Twyford v Fenton could be interesting as there is a bit of history of tension there. After Twyford missed out on Waitakere, someone suggested on his Facebook page he could consider Northcote. Darien jumped in and basically said naff off, she’s been working hard there.
Kate Sutton would be fairly strong contender, but I don’t know if she has Westie roots. Hamish McCracken seems to try for every seat.
Will it be 4th time lucky for Twyford? Will Carter be expelled? Will Carter stand as an Independent if he is? To find out tune back in tomorrow at the same bat time on the same bat channel!
UPDATE: Carter has announced he will not stand in 2011:
Member of Parliament for Te Atatu (Labour), Chris Carter, has announced his decision to withdraw his candidacy for the Labour Party in the electorate of Te Atatu for the 2011 General Election.
“In good conscience I cannot campaign on behalf of a leader I have criticised,” said Mr Carter. “It would not be fair to him or ethical of me.
So not standing, as he can’t honestly say he supports Goff.
“Of course there are some things I wish I had handled differently. At the same time I also regret that, during the pressures I have faced in the past year, I did not receive the support, advice or guidance I expected from my party leadership. However I want to look forward to focussing on continuing to serve the people of my electorate and it is for the Labour Caucus to resolve the Leadership Question.
I can’t imagine Phil Goff’s initial response to the Paul Henry comments would have helped his position with some of his caucus members. Goff’s response was that it was just “Paul being Paul”. Goff could have inflicted some damage on John Key if it were not for that initial response. I can only imagine how furious some Labour MPs are at Goff for the missed opportunity.
‘I look forward to seeing Labour returned to the Treasury benches in the near future.”
Chris has also said that Labour can not win under Goff. So his implication is pretty obvious.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:03 am
So many questions, so many party hacks ….
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Vote Option G – None of the Above.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:13 am
OMG let it be Fenton. If Labour do choose Fenton. I predict it to go to National in 2011.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Vote Option H – Any of the above [Let's keep the National Govt in power]
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:14 am
“The race for Chris Carter’s plum Te Atatu seat is suddenly wide open” – I think Tracy Watkins should be in line for an award for this opening line.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:23 am
@ RightNow – I’m glad I didn’t have a cuppa in my hand when I read that; comment of the day!!
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I assume there’s some central party pre-vetting of candidates (like National and Roger Payne)?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:30 am
@ Rightnow….. Snort!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats bloody funny!
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:32 am
I vote Rightnow for the inaugaral Paul Henry “thats bloody inappropriate” trophy.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Paul Henry for Te Atatu
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 11:40 am
The best comment Tracy Watkins has ever made!!! Thanks RightNow!
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
The thought of Chris Carter getting dressed up as Batman (or worse, Robin) has put me off my lunch.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Carter has bailed.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Well of course it also raises the question of Branch funds. Will the branch be left penniless after having it all spent on oversea’s travel or will an even greater sense of entitlement ensue and Carter and boyfriend confiscate it all as theirs.
Vote:I reckon that will be fun to watch.
October 7th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4207315/Chris-Carter-pulls-Labour-candidacy
Does this mean he hasn’t found someone to publish his book?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Front page headline on Stuff right now:
“Carter pulls out” – Snortle
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4207315/Chris-Carter-pulls-Labour-candidacy
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Carter has announced that he is standing aside. It’s a pyrrhic victory for Phil Goff though …
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2010/10/carter-opts-out.html
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I still think John Minto should stand
Vote:I wonder what Helen said to CC to get him to pull the pin
October 7th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
@ jaba – I reckon she said “Just write a book Chris …”
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
“Kate Sutton would be fairly strong contender, but I don’t know if she has Westie roots.”
Isn’t Ben Thomas a Westie?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Option H? Option G? It’s Option ABC, surely – Anyone But Carter
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
How many more defeats will it take for Phil Shadow Minister for the Homeless Twyford to realise that being a List MP is as good as it’s going to get?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Perhaps Cartier has been offered a role within the UN? How long before the announcement that he is ‘seeking new opportunities offshore’?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Carter’s statement shows little sign of change in mentality. He basically says “sorry if what I said cause distress” then immediately says it again. Then blames party leadership for a lack of “support, advice or guidance”. All standard “not my fault, poor me” nonsense.
Maybe he thought that his pre-election book release commitments would clash too much with campaigning.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Carters tell all book will almost certainly end his political career. Here are some suggested titles:
Vote:“The Kaiser and I”
“The XXX Files. Yeah Right”
“The Helen Files”
“Helen and Heather, The Untold Story”
“Around the World in 80 Days on a Credit Card”
October 7th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Carter didn’t get the support he wanted from his leadership. What a bummer.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Damn, but for a naming error by his parents, we could have had the poetic sight of Chris Carter being replaced by Phil McCracken.
Sorry, I’ll go away now and write out 1,000 times “You’re getting too much like Paul Henry”
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
All they would then need Rex, is to find a Benjamin Doone to stand in the neighbouring electorate …
1000 lines for me as well
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Well they have a lot of Wayne Kerr’s already in place.
I don’t have time for a 1000 lines will 500 do?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Chris Carter withdrawals from safe seat replaced by McCracken .. bummer
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Maybe he will return to uphill gardening leave with his partner Hans Gropenfondle.
As I am already on demerits for this subject, 2000 lines.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
“Kate Sutton would be fairly strong contender, but I don’t know if she has Westie roots.”
Isn’t Ben Thomas a Westie?
LOL, no, Ben is a Shoreboy.
My God, Sutton must not be given the nomination. She is fucking evil. She makes the last Labour government look like principled saints.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
BlairM
What can you tell us about Kate Sutton?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
After his email screw up, Twyford should just accept that he will never, ever be given an electorate seat to contend for.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
“Kate Sutton would be fairly strong contender, but I don’t know if she has Westie roots.”
DPF, was that slip intended? If so, isn’t that a little personal? Who she goes and visits on a Friday night is of no concern to you.
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
he may not deserve it BUT I will give him more credit than the Red Rev who lied to the good people of Wanganui when he said he would resign if Labour closed down Eastown Workshops which the lying bastards did BUT he didn’t resign as the people of Wanganui asked him to stay on .. bullshit.
Vote:CC “said” his electorate (boyfriend) asked him to consider staying on but no .. for that 1 reason, well done and keep on the good work trying to sort out your lame party
October 7th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
The book that tells all:
Ten years in the Saddle – Major Bumsaw
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4208399/Carter-says-homophobia-behind-travel-row
he just can’t help himself can he?
Vote:October 7th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Chris, would you like any salt with your wound?
http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/32/article_9436.php
Vote:October 8th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Goff said “Paul being Paul”, and what was it that Key said about Hone? A bit of a lad or words to that effect. I think a few more New Zealanders were offended by Hone than have been by Paul Henry.
Vote:October 8th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I am familiar with Ms. Sutton and I must agree with Blair M. Not so much that she is evil, but stupid, opportunistic, venal, corruptible–those are the type of things that come to mind. Of course, they might be seen as positive attributes by the Labour Caucus.
Vote: