I am seeking the Labour nomination for the seat of Waitakere for 2011. Waitakere should be a Labour seat. I think Paula Bennett can be beaten, and Waitakere should have a hard working MP serving the community. I want to win the seat back for Labour.
I am seeking the Labour nomination for the seat of Waitakere for 2011. Waitakere should be a Labour seat. I think Paula Bennett can be beaten, and Waitakere should have a hard working MP serving the community. I want to win the seat back for Labour.
This entry was posted on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 9:08 pm and is filed under Labour Party. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Good on you Mr Twyford for nailing your colours to the wall so early. I suppose after sniffing around Auckland Central and setting up an office there for the last few months you’ve realised that beating Miss Kaye is not really an option with the level of local support she’s got.
It appears that the ghost of Ms Tizard still hovers over Auckland Central.
Mr Twyford, will you now be moving the office you established in Auckland Central to Waitakere?
Spud, where are you when I need you?
Hmmmm.. interesting. I thought you’d go for Auckland Central myself Phil.
Tim Ellis – Thank you Mr Ellis. I knew I’d be able to rely on you for a good natured and straight down the middle response. For the record I think Nikki Kaye is very beatable in Auckland Central, and I am confident Labour will field an excellent candidate to do just that. Stay tuned. And seeing you asked, I anticipate continuing for the time being in my role as Labour list MP based in Auckland Central.
Thats hardly a vote of confidence in the ability of Lynne Pillay to win the seat back? If that is the case, why did she get such a high list place?
Good. Removes ambiguity in Auckland Central and means Waitakere will have a very strong Labour candidate, if that’s how it plays out.
Ms Kaye is eminently beatable. Once she takes a strong position on anything, and stops voting for government mreasures whilst seeming to suggest that ahe’s only there coincidentally, the voting public will shift gear.
I believe that Ms Ardern will make an excellent candidate, should the entrails so dictate.
I’m pleased to be able to congratulate you on your intended move to Waitakere Mr Twyford. It does strike me a little unusual that somebody who has stood in North Shore, living in Mt Albert (and pushed aside for the Mt Albert nomination) only to set up office next door in Auckland Central would then be given the jilt and have to head to Waitakere. You certainly get around a lot Mr Twyford, which shows your commitment to the Party. Good on you.
I know you’re a very hard worker Mr Twyford, which again is why I’m surprised you weren’t embraced with open arms by the local Labour Party in Auckland Central.
It will be interesting to see Ms Ardern and Ms Tizard battle it out for the Labour nomination. I don’t imagine other strong Labour candidates in the past, such as Mr Carter and Ms Bates, will stay out of that race.
It will be quite fascinating to watch, with a lot of hot competition.
As a Waitakere resident and voter I would be delighted if Phil Twyford got the nomination – I would even be tempted to re-join the Labour Party. I believe that once an electorate MP is defeated it is well nigh impossible to regain that seat again, whoever he or she is up against. Lynne Pillay seems to have a very low profile in this area – I met with her Electorate Secretary just over 12 months ago, before the general election with a request for assistance with a family member’s ongoing battles with CYFs – I am still awaiting a response.
Wow, I’m suprised… I could already picture the “Twyford for Central” posters…
@Phil – Sorry, I felt sick so I went to bed. I think it’s great that you have Waitakere and I want to see you kick some serious Tory butt!
Your victory party will be sweet. 
Tim really shouldnt go on about standing in one seat or another.
heard of Dipton Tim ?
And of course there was the all the funny goings on with John Key and Helensville.
And these were people in electorates not list seats like Phil.
Tim, I guess you are not from Auckland? If you are, it must be confusing for a Tory when your own government says greater Auckland is now one big happy family community, devoid of parochial boundaries? Can’t have it both ways.
Does this meant the “urbane” Mr Twyford will be donning a leather jacket, purchasing a black holden, and growing a mullet?
Phil, great to see a superb candidate like you grabbing the brass ring. Good luck.
Ellis – You might want to give Jackie Blue some advice… And let’s see how long Kaye’s ‘popularity’ lasts…I suspect I need to email her about her continued stance on marine protection given what her boss did in the weekend. Ultimately she’s a fence sitter. Problem is, people who sit on the fence tend to fall off…
Phil,
Did you think of standing for Northcote? Thats another winnable seat. Though I can see a 600 vote majority in an area where water charges are likely to go up $600 pa due to the supercity make Waitakere attractive.
Big issues out here not surprisingly is jobs- Waitakere doesn’t have them and everyone is forced to commute, public transport (we have seen some big improvements recently) and whether to allow subdivision of farms which are located in the foothills.
I’m sure will become well versed in these issues in your travels.
Jennifer yes I’m from Auckland and I’ve lived in Grey Lynn for the past fifteen years. Most people even those who have never been to Auckland know the difference between the North Shore, the central city, Mt Albert and Waitakere out west.
Just as in Mr Goff’s case there’s a big difference between Clevedon and Mount Roskill and in Mr Cunliffe’s case between New Lynn and Herne Bay.
Yes Auckland is to become a super city but there are specific communities of interest which is why there are wards and local boards rather than at large council seats.
Still I suppose when Mr Twyford loses to Ms Bennett he can then make it five from five and go for a seat in South Auckland in 2014. On current form he’s likely to aim for Papakura rather than Manukau East however.
[...] [...]
Ellis – and again, if we’re picking on Phil we should pick on all candidates who sometimes need to work to find the ‘right’ electorate for them. What advice would you give Jackie Blue? Or Melissa Lee? Can’t imagine she wants Mt Albert again…you know, given that Mt Albert didn’t want her.
Tigger when Dr Blue and Ms Lee work their way around four electorates as Mr Twyford has then I will congratulate them for their undying service to the party no matter what and no matter where just as I have Mr Twyford.
A good move. And a good move by Jacinda too. http://lifeandpolitics.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/an-actual-auckland-central-strategy/
Fortunately for society Labour Party electorate organisations actually get to pick the parties candidates rather than tory malcontent bloggers. Good luck Phil.
Tiger Mountain, you might have forgotten the recent Mt Albert by election example, in which Mr Shearer lost the floor vote despite being selected with the backing of Mr Goff. (Tim you are skating close to the wind with this comment. We don’t take kindly to deliberate mistruths Clare)
[...] [...]
Tim, and Helensville is only an hours drive from Parnell, right? It must have been painful for you to have lived in Grey Lynn for 15 years and see Tory after Tory defeated. Enjoy the next 24 months while you can. Jacinda is your new MP, and Phil will be the ‘rock of the westies’ soon enough.
What’s more he will be staunchly proud of his westies too!
Count me in your campaign team Phil.
Jennifer I’ve voted Labour twice in the last 15 years so no, it wasn’t that painful. I’m quite happy with whoever my neighbours vote as their MP.
A lot of water needs to go under the bridge before Ms Ardern or Mr Twyford become electorate MPs. First they have to win their selections (as Mr Twyford has seen recently being the early favourite for selection isn’t always a good thing because taking it for granted can go against him) and next they have to win against seasoned campaigners who have been successful in the past.
Until Labour starts coming close to its 2008 levels of support I can’t see Mr Twyford coming close in Waitakere if he’s selected or Ms Ardern coming close in Auckland Central if she’s selected.
Tim Ellis/1.05pm – I dont know where you get your information Mr Ellis but I was there and voting and David Shearer won every vote going that day.
Tim, were you in a coma during the Mt Albert by-election?
I do apologise and withdraw if this is untrue Ms Curran. I understand you asked Mr Shearer for verification. It has long been my understanding from reported comments elsewhere that Mr Shearer although getting a majority of the seven delegate votes to win the selection, he lost the floor vote of local members at the selection.
I have raised this issue before with people who were present at the selection meeting and received a stone silence. If you are saying Ms Curran that Mr Shearer did in fact win the floor vote at the selection then I will accept your word and withdraw and apologise.
Good luck Phil! You will be an excellent candidate, no matter what seat you stand in. Paula Bennett shouldn’t be in charge of a dozen cans of Woodstock, let alone a constituency seat and a Ministerial post.
Tim look at your party with Pansy Wong. She was living in Christchurch when selected as list MP, moved to Auckland, with an office in Auckland Central ( with Don Brash !!), stood as a candidate as well, then won Botany this time.
Some journey- Tim Shadbolt would be proud
She only stood in two electorates Ghost. Mr Twyford will be going for his fourth.
Perhaps this site would be best discussing policy rather than indulging in cheap put downs. What you do and achieve is more important than what seats you might have stood for or where you live.
Mr Ellis – I have only sought the nomination for one electorate, North Shore, where I fought the 2005 and 2008 campaigns.
Tim Ellis. Are you one of these people who think up ideas in their head, and then convince themselves that it actually happened? And I’m being charitable.
Btw. You insist on referring to others as Mr. Mrs. or Ms., yet you refer to yourself as Tim Ellis. In my book, that smacks of an attempt to be derogatory.
I look forward to Twyford kicking some butt in Waitakere!
Good on you Phil – with your proven capacity for hard work you’ll run rings.
Waitakere’s gain, our loss – but as we all know, when it comes to talent, Labour, like the All Blacks, has a lot of depth. Best wishes.
Mr Twyford while it is true that you have only ever formally nominated for North Shore you were also angling for Mt Albert for some time and you were obviously aiming for the Auckland Central nomination after you got pushed aside in Mt Albert for Mr Shearer. Is it unfair to say that you were seriously aiming for Mt Albert and Auckland Central and hoping to get those nominations?
{ Balance deleted. This can not be verified, and is needless repetition. Grant}
Good on you Phil for giving Waitakere a go. I think you would have had a real chance in Auckland Central. You’ve done good work building relationships there as well as doing fantastic work on the Auckland Supercity. What has Jacinda done?
Pitting like with like (Nikki and Jacinda): not sure it’s the best way to win Auckland Central back. I think Nikki Kaye will be feeling more confident now.
Hi Anne,
{Deleted- this can not be verified Grant}.
I was brought up to not refer to people by their Christian names unless I am familiar with them, especially people in authority. Old habits die hard I suppose.
{ Deleted. While accepting some provocation has occured, this exchange is getting personal, please try to stick to topic, Grant}
Mr Robertson, this is an easy issue to verify. Either Mr Shearer did win the floor vote in Mt Albert or he didn’t. There were a large number of local members at the selection. Ms Curran originally edited my post saying she was asking Mr Shearer for verification of what took place. She further edited my post saying I was “skating close to the wind” and engaging in “deliberate mistruths”.
I have said I will withdraw and apologise if the substance is incorrect.
Either what I said is correct or it isn’t. Editing my posts and shutting down comment doesn’t address the question and only contributes to further suspicion.
Tim, I know that you are a troll from way back. And that your modus operandi is to stir. But as you have used my name (in vain) I’m taking the bait. As someone who was at the selection, I can tell you David won the floor vote. Your attempts to pit Labour people against each other is lame. We are all fighting for the same cause buddy.
I am sure Labour will field excellent candidates in both Auckland Central and Waitakere. And I can assure you I will not be putting my name forward for Auckland Central except to sign up in whole hearted support of Jacinda’s nomination. It is great to see Labour taking these seats so seriously and making sure we have a dedicated person early on to work hard to win them back
{deleted. Tim, please refer to Phil Twyford’s response to you on this matter earlier in this thread (3.17pm 23/11)}
Re 12:11pm edit.
Does Mr Twyford speak for the Labour caucus on this matter? If so please advise if his statement represents Mr Goff’s position and other Labour caucus members who were present at the selection meeting.
If that is the case then I withdraw and apologise without reservation regarding the Labour selection in Mt Albert.
Let me re-phrase my comment. IF Tim Ellis insists on misrepresenting the issues around Phil Twyford’s announcement – and indeed on other matters – then he will
continue to receive responses that he may not like.
Who cares what Tim Ellis thinks? We need to know important stuff like – will Phil wade into groups of girl gangs to break up fights?
Good Luck to you in Waitakere Phil, and good luck to the Central Auckland Labour candidate.
Roll on 2011.