Veteran political operator seeks MP seat

Political back office veteran Rob Eaddy - former Prime Minister Jim Bolger's chief of staff - is seeking a seat in Parliament, running against Labour's Trevor Mallard in the Hutt South electorate for Peter Dunne's United Future Party.

Mr Eaddy's candidacy was announced yesterday by Mr Dunne who has employed him as his own chief of staff and principal political and strategic advisor for the last decade.

He was the negotiator for the UnitedFuture's confidence and supply agreements with Labour following the 2005 general election and with National in 2008.

Mr Eaddy said he had decided to stand because after almost 20 years working in Parliament wanted to do what he had often defended MPs for doing "that is having the courage to stand by your convictions and go up on a soapbox and be judged by the public - it's the ultimate part of participation in the process".

The November election was shaping up as an unusual one with parallels to 2002 where a major party was struggling making for better prospects for smaller parties.

Mr Eaddy said UnitedFuture liked the direction the current National Government was taking the country but didn't want to see that compromised by undue reliance on the "flinty edged" Act Party or the Maori Party.

While he saw little chance of winning the Hutt South seat, Mr Eaddy said there may be an opportunity to represent the electorate by entering Parliament on UnitedFuture's list. He had not had any discussions with Mr Dunne about where he would be on UnitedFuture's party list which has yet to be announced.

If Mr Eaddy was able to take votes from Mr Mallard that may open the door a little wider for National's Paul Quinn who lost against Mr Mallard by a margin of 4086 votes in 2008.