Local Representation

Prime Minister Helen Clark's resent reshuffle to reinvigorate the Labour Party for next years election, has over looked New Plymouth MP Harry Duynhoven yet again for the front benches. She has instead promoted Steve Chadwick Maryan Street and Shane Jones to the cabinet front seats over him. Still leaving poor old Harry outside cabinet at 22 between the likes of Judith Tizard at 21 and Mita Ririnui at 23. Besides Judith Tizard has anyone heard of the Labour Party pecking order that Harry is amongst the likes of Mita Ririnui : Luamanuvao Winnie Laban at 24 :Mahara Okeroa at 25 : and thats my point.. Harry is deep in Labours ranks of obscurity. Making it obvious there is no place for the New Plymouth MP in Prime Minister Helen Clark's future new face Labour Party. If Helen Clark can't see Harry as one of her MPs to reinvigorating the Labour Party. The New Plymouth electorate may finally see there is no way he can invigorating the electorate in his position either. Before the local National Party jump up and down with glee, Harry is still the best we have under the present political climate, and the electorate won't replace him with any token candidate from outside the electorate put in by them, over a local candidate. Strenghening my view that all Constituent MPs should all be Independent constituent MPs repesenting their electorates only, and all party MPs be list MPs representing their parties. A locally elected constituent Independent representing the electorates views, would better represent the electorate than a party elected MP representing their parties views. Harry would have made a great constituent Independent MP for New Plymouth not having to toe the party line, but that of the electorate itself. New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent would be another good future candidate.

Rusty Kane
Independent NP