Labour have selected Deborah Russell to stand for them in New Lynn over several local contenders. Russell announced her intention last year and moved to Auckland from Palmerston North. Several local candidates stood against her but she prevailed.
Russell stood in Rangitikei in 201, losing to National’s Ian McKelvie by over 10,000 votes.
Russell would probably be good for Labour if she gets into Parliament, but there’s likely to be some very unhappy Labour members in New Lynn after an outsider has been parachuted in to probably the seat after David Cunliffe’s exit.
NZ Herald: Deborah Russell to stand in New Lynn
Deborah Russell has been announced as the Labour Party’s candidate to contest the New Lynn electorate in the general election.
Russell, a tax expert from Massey University, will replace the outgoing David Cunliffe from the traditionally safe Labour seat.
Russell was seen as an outsider in the bid to be Labour’s candidate, but had the support of the party’s hierarchy.
The ‘party hierarchy’ also prevailed with an outsider over a local candidate in the Hutt South selection.
There has been a lot of controversy this week over Andrew Little recruiting Willie Jackson with a promise of a high list placing.
The announcement was made by Labour’s general secretary Andrew Kirton on Twitter this afternoon.
Russell previously told the Herald there were difficulties in trying to get the selection as an outsider, but she was contacting party members in New Lynn to try to secure support and had promised to move into the electorate if selected.
“I’m making sure I’m familiar with the issues here, but I’m also promoting myself as someone who can operate successfully on a national stage as well.”
One of Russell’s first tasks will be to win the support of the electorate Labourites. She stood against Greg Presland who had been Cunliffe’s electorate chairperson.
This is likely to be contentious at The Standard where Presland is an author.
Someone unwilling to identify themselves has posted Deborah Russell for New Lynn:
Senior Lecturer and tax law expert Deborah Russell has won the Labour selection for New Lynn – congratulations! You’re going to make a fantastic MP! Home team candidate Greg would also have made a fine choice, alas that only one of them can represent the electorate.
Early in comments Michael:
An outstanding candidate selected for New Lynn. That’s one seat Labour should retain.
it would be surprising, and catasrtophic for Labour, if they lost the electorate.
Response by someone from the electorate, Amakiwi:
The Labour caucus learns zero about democracy. What the locals want counts for nothing. OK.
If the caucus don’t need me I don’t need them either. I’ll have a closer look at the Greens.
Andre:
Ok, those of us in New Lynn have missed out on having an electorate MP that’s on top of local issues and representing those effectively in Parliament, in favour of someone whose expertise is on issues with nationwide effects.
I’m only a little bit disappointed, coz I rate them both very highly.
Rangitikei result 2014
New Lynn result 2014 (Cunliffe won by over four thousand votes but Labour lost the electorate vote to National by over a thousand votes).