Little: Carter has no say over Te Atatu

Chris Carter in Te Atatu in June. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Renegade MP Chris Carter's views on who should replace him in the safe Labour seat of Te Atatu are interesting but irrelevant, Labour president Andrew Little says.

Mr Carter was expelled from Labour's caucus after sending an anonymous letter to the media on July 29 which said a coup was planned against Mr Goff because he couldn't win the next election.

Mr Carter was quickly uncovered as its author and now has to face the party's national council on Monday, when it will decide whether to suspend or expel him from the party.

Mr Carter told the Dominion Post newspaper that he had asked Auckland lawyer Deborah Manning (known for her representation of represented Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui) to stand in the seat but she declined. His second choice was Phil Twyford.

"Deborah's mother has been my electorate secretary since 1993, and Deborah is like a daughter to me. She has always reminded me of a young Helen Clark. Phil Twyford is also a capable and decent person and I would also be certain he would do a good job for the electorate."

Nominations for Te Atatu were reopened after Mr Carter's letter.

"We have a clearly set out selection process and it doesn't involve former Labour MPs having a say over who a potential successor might be," Mr Little said.

"They are interesting comments but they won't help us select a candidate for Te Atatu."

Nominations close on Friday and Mr Little said several people had phoned him to talk about standing.

"The level of interest is considerably greater than it has been in the past."

Although Parliament has ruled that Mr Carter is no longer a Labour MP he insists he still is.

"Irrespective of what happens on Monday, even if he's not expelled or suspended, he's still a former Labour MP in that respect," Mr Little added today.

Labour is to hold its annual conference mid-month and Mr Carter is not expected to attend.

- NZPA