Parker for Epsom
July 19th, 2011 at 3:43 pm by David FarrarA spy e-mails:
Labour’s leadership & council have selected David Parker for Epsom & told other prospectives to butt out.
Parker was the MP for Otago from 2002 to 2005 but lot it to Jacqui Dean. His new partner works for an Auckland Labour List MP, so a move to Auckland is certainly plausible.
Interesting to be in a party where the leadership decide selections. Epsom’s selection for National was determined entirely by 60+ local grassroots members.
Related posts:
- John does not understand
- Guest Post: David Parker on What’s going on in Epsom
- National to open Epsom nominations
- Six seek Epsom
July 19th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
So does this mean that a senior Labour MP has given up hope of contesting a winable seat (and election)? My guess is that David Parker will actively campaign for the good people of Epsom to vote for the National Party Candidate. MMP is a strange and weird beast that be best put to sleep.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
So is Parker gay? Not that it matters but the reference to partner made me wonder. He is one of Labour’s most competent, although he too voted for the EFA and deserves political oblivion for it.
[DPF: No]
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Ah, so that’s the difference between National and Labour. National is a loose confederation of grassroots real people who choose excellent candidates from among themselves. Labour is an evil cabal of unionists who foist backroom favourites on unwilling constituents.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@Ben
Vote:David Parker is in a relationship with Barbara Ward, the former partner of musician Chris Knox
July 19th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Interesting to be in a party where the leadership decide selections. Epsom’s selection for National was determined entirely by 60+ local grassroots members.
You mean that Goldsmith is not a sacrificial lamb being given a high list position in consideration of his managing to lose Epsom to ACT? And that this is not being managed by Head Office?
[DPF: Head Office has some influence on the list and there is a general understanding that the Epsom candidate will get a winnable place. However that is a separate issues to whom the candidate is]
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Thanks
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@ Other Andy
Vote:/How is Chris Knox fairing with his post-stroke rehabilitation? His blog site has been quiet (not necessarily a good sign).
July 19th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Micky Savage – how could it be managed by head office when 60 local party members made the decision? As I understand it, various branches send delegates to the selection meeting based on the size of the branch. Head office has little to nothing to do with it.
Contrast this with the Labour Party where head office has 3 out of 7 votes (and the floor has one only).
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@niggly
Vote:No idea Niggly.
Got the info straight from the internet.
Not really familiar with the two (Barbara & Chris).
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10716817
July 19th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Ugh. Why do Labour do this sort of thing? Are they trying to alienate voters?
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@ Nick R its ok “mikenmild” and “micky savage” remain true believers.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Interesting,
Not a silly idea, actually.
Labour’s vote at 2008 was around 15%. Locke usually pulls in 5%. He’s retiring.
Parker boosts the left vote by 10 points to 30% and pushes Goldsmith into third.
I can’t see the Nats caring too much, but it’d be something for Labour to crow about.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Ben (1865) says – “although he too voted for the EFA and deserves political oblivion for it.”
As far as the EFA is concerned Clark decreed that all Labour MP’s must vote for it. However, my recollection is that Parker was largely instrumental in designing the draconian Labour ETS which NACT modified but should have rescinded.
He should be villified for both.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
strange that a man who wants to be leader of the Labour party wants to lose in a seat .. not a good look
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@newtestleper
how could it be managed by head office when 60 local party members made the decision? As I understand it, various branches send delegates to the selection meeting based on the size of the branch. Head office has little to nothing to do with it.
Beats me. I cannot imagine how Goldsmith could beat Bhatnaghar unless the decision was made that he was less electable than Bhatnaghar. It really feels like a strategic decision and not one reflecting local democratic concerns.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
mikemild @ 4 02 nails it the other mick wont ever, even if he lives another 100 years.
Democracy is a clue mickysavage.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
This is a strange decision. Parker won’t be a viable leadership candidate if he loses to Banks in Epsom, which seems likely. I have no idea why Parker wants to do it. Or why Labour would want to do it to a senior MP, rather than some sacrificial nobody like Phil Twyford.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
That’s odd. What happened to all the stories about Parker being seen in Wellington holding hands with Jacinda Adhern?.
He really does get around.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
This would certainly be the worst nightmare for National and Act’s rorting of the electoral system they both profess to detest…MMP.
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
@Other_Andy
Thanks & thanks for the link, hadn’t read that before.
Say, Parker seems to have a thing for arty women …
And his current partner is also handy in that she is a Labour campaign manager. Seems like Parker really likes strong women and really is aiming (being pushed?) for the top ….
And I recall Maryan Street backing him a few months ago when Goof coup plot no 4729 was in the media …
David Parker, eh, the acceptable face to the public voter of H1′s shadowly assortment of gaggly control freaks and other like-minded folk?
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Hmm, more questions.
So has Parker superseded the likes of Chris Carter (as the public mouth piece of H1′s Labour Party), and is making a play on Goff’s Leadership viz-a-viz the controlling NY Branch of the Labour Party? (Was Chris Carter’s rumblings of dissent over Goof’s leadership earlier in the year eminating from this same bunch)?
Hope Epsom voters see thru Parker’s disguise, to see what baggage he also carries with him.
So who are Cunner’s backers?
Obviously Little is the Union man, but he is conveniently side-lined at present ?
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Didnt Parker come unstuck sometime back? Dodgy business dealings?
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
@starboard
“Didnt Parker come unstuck sometime back? Dodgy business dealings?”
Vote:Yes and no…
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2006/04/parker_is_a_lucky_man.html
July 19th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Thanks for that Andy…still smells though…(of course it does , liarbors involved )
Vote:July 19th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Auckland gets Parker. Dunedin will celebrate.
Vote:David is a pleasant man. But his professional career in business enterprises and as a lawyer is best described as ‘hapless’
Not somebody you would find of use sorting out your minor legal affairs.
And if you really needed assistance. You didn’t go there.
July 20th, 2011 at 10:18 am
He was as useless tit as MP for Central Otago
Vote: