Adams family United no more

Paul Adams and daughter Sharee announce their decision yesterday. Mr Adams will seek re-election to Parliament as an independent in East Coast Bays. Picture / Martin Sykes

United Future MP Paul Adams has split from the party and will stand for the East Coast Bays electorate as an independent candidate.

And it seems the family that prays together stays together - his daughter, former Miss New Zealand Sharee Adams, has also taken herself off the party's list to help her father campaign.

Mr Adams denied his decision was due to unhappiness at his being ranked 10th on the party list, behind two candidates who are not MPs.

Mr Adams, a rally car driver and pastor at the City Impact Church, and Sharee Adams were vocal opponents of the civil union legislation.

Mr Adams said he first discussed standing as an independent a year ago. He told United Future of his decision on Friday, after Parliament had wound up for the term.

"He wants to put his electorate first and I respect that decision," said United Future leader Peter Dunne.

"I'm sorry he's made that decision but that's life and we move on."

The pair had since had a number of lengthy, amicable discussions.

"I certainly asked him to stay but I respect the fact that he's made a decision. You've got to understand I've been down the same path. I know what it's like to leave a party and I know the stresses and strains that are on someone."

There was no "rancour or bitterness" about the decision.

Mr Dunne rejected suggestions the MP was leaving because United Future was a sinking ship and refused to say whether they had disagreed on some issues.

Mr Adams' fasting over the Civil Union Bill is believed to have not been approved of by the wider party, which has made moves away from strong Christian messages.

Mr Adams said he believed it was possible to be a better electorate MP as an independent because he would not be "bogged down or tied up with parties".

"I had 11 portfolios when I represented United Future. I don't believe you can have the ability to do the work for the electorate as well."

His policies would be the same as United Future's, which he said he was instrumental in developing.

He believed his chances of returning to Parliament as an independent were equal to his chances of returning on United Future's list, had he stayed.

"Some may say what can one person achieve? Did Mother Theresa make a difference? Did Sir Peter Blake make a difference? While I do not put myself in that league, I aspire to their dedication and their example. They too started with a dream, facing incredible odds. Like them, I have a vision. A vision where every man, woman and child in my electorate will have a voice."

Sharee Adams said the Adams family had always campaigned together and this was no different.

In 2002, Mr Adams was ninth on the list and got into Parliament after eighth-ranked Kelly Chal failed to satisfy citizenship requirements and her election was declared invalid.

Mr Adams' announcement comes before the August 23 deadline for final nominations for electorate and list MPs.

At the last election, Mr Adams won 2872 of the 31,789 constituency votes in East Coast Bays, which is held by National's Murray McCully.