As I type this, the Labour selection meeting is being held in the Dunedin South electorate, currently held by David Benson-Pope, Helen's favourite "persona-non-grata". Radio New Zealand was reporting earlier that he faces challenges for the nomination from EPMU National President Don Pryde, PSA Organiser Keith McFadyen, and Clare Curran, famously involved in the stoush at the Ministry for the Environment over her contract for PR (read: propoganda) work.
It looks as though this will be the end of the road for Benson-Pope, and given his performance over the last few years, it won't be a moment too soon. His bullying tactics towards state servants, his lies to the House, and the cloud hanging over his teaching career have rendered him an embarrasment to Labour. I'm quite surprised that he has even kept fighting for the Dunedin South nomination - surely he knows that Dear Leader has labelled him as "damaged goods". Then again,he may have more local support than we realise, and an LEC that is prepared to give the parliamentary wing of the Labour Party a one-fingered salute. All will be revealed later today.
UPDATE:
Clare Curran gets the Dunedin South nomination. 3News reports that Dear Leader congratulated Curran, and is looking forward to working with her. And referring to DB-P, she said it is "a sad day for him". Back to teaching for B-P?
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