Angry MP quits National to stand as an independent

By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter

National's preparations for the election took a broadside from one of its own yesterday.

Rejected MP Brian Neeson attacked the "Fay Richwhite flavour" of the party under president Michelle Boag and announced he would resign from National to fight for the Helensville seat as an independent.

He will stand against one of National's new hopes, 40-year-old businessman John Key.

Mr Key was selected ahead of Mr Neeson in a battle seen as part of a clean-out of the party "deadwood" inspired by Ms Boag.

The MP's decision deals a blow to National leader Bill English's hopes for a smooth build-up to the election campaign.

Mr Neeson will not join colleagues - Jenny Shipley, Wyatt Creech, Doug Kidd, John Luxton, Max Bradford, and Warren Kyd - giving their valedictory speeches today in Parliament.

"Valedictories are only for people who have finished in politics," he told the Herald. "I don't believe I have."

He insists that he is not bitter about his non-selection and that he is excited by a new challenge.

The changes Ms Boag had made in the hope of rejuvenating National had upset a lot of people, he said.

"They have been too severe and the shape of the party is quite confusing.

"They are getting the Days of Our Lives and The Young and The Restless Look. At the same time they pull a Don Brash in. It gives it a whole new Fay Richwhite flavour," he said in reference to the merchant bankers, Michelle Boag's former employers.

The people being "culled" were not the people responsible for the party's low polls.

"If you want to look at why you've got low polls, look at those who put themselves in charge, who do most of the speaking, and have the say over most of the policy and ask yourself 'who's really responsible?'

"Since Michelle Boag came in, I think the party has taken quite a hammering. Her approach has certainly upset a lot of people."

Mr Neeson said he did not hold a grudge and did want anything he had said to be interpreted as sour grapes.

He also said that National had done what Labour had never managed to do in 12 years.

"They got rid of me."

Mr Neeson, aged 56, won Waitakere last election with a majority of 4056. It is considered a safe National seat on paper.

Helensville is a new seat formed largely on the Waitakere electorate from which it takes about 39,000 electors. It gains about 8000 from Albany and about 5500 from Rodney.

Mr Neeson's wife, Vanessa, will be his campaign manager.

She is a seasoned Waitakere City councillor and they have always managed each other's campaigns.

Mr Neeson would campaign on local issues such as how to handle future development of the Hobsonville air base and on tough law and order issues which he has championed.

Asked if he might split the vote and allow Labour candidate Gary Russell in through the middle, he said that might have been a worry under first-past-the-past.

But under MMP voters could vote for an independent and still vote for their party with their party vote.

"It doesn't cost their party a thing."

Mr Neeson said he would not rule out backing Labour if he was returned.

"I wouldn't act for the sake of politics, I would act for the sake of New Zealand."

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