Grey Power won't bully us, says Brash

Don Brash

Don Brash has attacked Grey Power, accusing it of favouring New Zealand First and warning National won't be bullied into "grossly irresponsible" policies for the elderly.

The accusations were made in a letter to Grey Power president Graham Stairmand, who wrote back to Dr Brash firmly rejecting the claims of bias.

He wrote there was nothing irresponsible about the group's objectives, which revolved around concern over electricity prices, access to hospital waiting lists and superannuation levels. Mr Stairmand told the Herald - which obtained the letters - that Dr Brash was attempting to pressure the organisation, which was inappropriate.

NZ First also criticised Dr Brash, with a spokesman labelling his stance "a case of sour grapes and yet another sign of his inexperience".

But National strategist Murray McCully defended Dr Brash saying he was simply engaging in appropriate and honest "robust debate".

He said it was Labour, not National, which appeared to be acting inappropriately, citing evidence contained in an email from a Grey Power organiser in Tauranga. The email, sent on Wednesday, said an official from Helen Clark's office had organised to pay for advertising, hall and mail-out costs worth up to $2130 to attract people to a Grey Power meeting they wanted quickly arranged for next week.

Mr McCully said as the funding was being organised from the Prime Minister's office it appeared to be taxpayers' money, which was totally inappropriate.

It indicated "a whole new level of desperation to get elected".

Helen Clark confirmed through a spokesman the money was taxpayers' - from the leader's budget.

"It is a perfectly legitimate use of the money. All parties use the leader's budget to send such letters of invitation. No ministerial funds were used."

The warfare comes amid the increasingly tense battle to win over floating voters and an intense interest in the elderly vote - which because of demographic changes is becoming larger by the year. Close to 600,000 voters are 60 years and over.

NZ First leader Winston Peters has traditionally courted the grey vote but Labour and National have more recently turned their attentions towards older New Zealanders.