Nash gives up battle for Epsom

Rodney Hide

Labour's candidate in Epsom, Stuart Nash, has written off his chances of winning the seat - ever.

The hands-up comes as the battle for Epsom - and Act leader Rodney Hide's political survival - intensifies with further accusations of dirty tricks and filthy politicking.

Mr Nash, great-grandson of third Labour prime minister Sir Walter Nash, is facing off against Mr Hide and the sitting Epsom MP, National's Richard Worth.

"I would love to be MP for Epsom and I would do a bloody good job," he said last week. "When I do get into Parliament, it probably won't be as MP for Epsom."

Mr Nash and Labour polled third behind National and Act in a TVNZ poll on Friday night, which also put Mr Worth well clear of Mr Hide.

The poll has been derided by Mr Hide, who says he is on track to win an electorate that has been "taken for granted". "People in Epsom love the fact someone is campaigning to win the seat."

Mr Nash also revealed that Labour had a plan to get Labour voters to back National if a deal was done to dump Mr Worth to make way for Mr Hide. He had discussed tactics with Labour Party president Mike Williams and other Labour Party officials and was told to "take your lead from the prime minister". "She will come out and give direction to Labour Party supporters." The instruction would be to vote National to keep Mr Hide out.

A deal was appearing unlikely, with Mr Worth saying he had assurances he would not be sacrificed. Mr Hide is adamant he will win the electorate without help.

Party bosses also fear a voter backlash against National if it does do a deal; a prospect it will not entertain in an electorate which is the country's richest and provides high levels of funding for the party.

Despite his clear lead Mr Worth persists in accusing Act of dirty tricks. He said members were canvassing Epsom while wearing National colours in an attempt to portray National supporters as having switched sides to encourage tactical voting, and that children were delivering Act material to houses and removing National material which had already been distributed.

Mr Worth has previously complained that Act was running telephone polls asking voters if they would vote Act if Mr Worth died. Mr Hide denied the calls were made. He said National supporters were campaigning for him, but wore Act rosettes and were not in disguise.

Former National MP Belinda Vernon said she would vote for Mr Hide in Epsom because he would make a better electorate MP than Mr Worth, who was safe on the party list, and "Parliament would be poorer without him".

- HERALD ON SUNDAY