Olive branch for Conservatives

Tauranga Independent candidate Rusty Kane is offering an olive branch to Tauranga Conservative supporters following news the National Party will not help the Conservative Party into Parliament.

Prime Minister John Key encouraged supporters in Epsom and Ohariu to vote for the Act and United Future candidates on Monday - but a deal for the Conservatives in East Coast Bays would require National to withdraw Murray McCully, which was "a bridge too far".


Rusty Kane.

Rusty says it means Tauranga Conservative Party supporters can vote for him as their local candidate.

'Now the political system's changed a bit National's basically given the conservatives the boot.

'I'm welcoming them on board in the local election here.”

Rusty says he's a good local candidate for the Conservatives because he supports two of their policies; binding citizens initiated referenda, and he opposes the Trans Pacific Partnership.

'At the end of the day I'm an independent, what's best for Tauranga - but I need to get the votes. They will be going for the party votes, all the parties will. But they may as well vote for someone they won't lose their vote on, which is me.”

He doesn't see any problem chasing Conservative votes after previously seeking candidate votes from the left.

'Because I'm independent I have to go for the left votes because there's no use going for the right in Tauranga. I'm consolidating all the parties on the left for the candidate vote, for me to make it a fair go so we can actually get it out there and give Simon a real scare.

'But now the Conservatives added to that bunch makes it more real. National has kicked them out so they won't be voting for National, so who are they going to vote for?

'They are going to vote for the Conservative Party vote, but for the local candidate vote they really have got nowhere to go - and I'm welcoming them on board.”

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3 comments

Not rusty at all!!!

Posted on 30-07-2014 16:47 | By Sambo Returns

still a swinger.


Re: Conservatives

Posted on 30-07-2014 18:36 | By Deborah Cunliffe

Hi Rusty, Colin Craig and the Conservatives have made it very clear they are not interested in making deals to manipulate the electoral system. We trust the voters in the BOP and Tauranga to vote wisely. Our Candidates will be announced Thursday 7th August, 7pm, at Daniels in the Park when Colin Craig will be speaking about our common-sense policies. All the best with your campaigning.


another swinging voter

Posted on 31-07-2014 16:21 | By Ross01

I've lost faith in the integrity of the major party leaders. Why can't they just concentrate on their own programmes in each electorate and stand or fall by their own ideals. The voters can decide if the minor parties have more practical ideals. Why do David Cunliffe and Don Key have to knock or promote these parties in electorates where they are weak themselves?


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