KEY POINTS:
Former Cabinet Minister David Benson-Pope could win his Dunedin South electorate if he decided to stand against the Labour Party's chosen candidate, according to the Otago Daily Times.
The newspaper understands private polling in the electorate shows "Mr Benson-Pope would win in a canter should he decide to stand".
Political Editor Dene Mackenzie says Mr Benson-Pope's name recognition is high and "people feel he was a good electorate MP who was treated badly by the party and trade unions".
Labour's Dunedin South candidate is Clare Curran who yesterday accompanied Prime Minister Helen Clark on a tour of the city.
Last year, the MP resigned from Cabinet following controversy over his handling of the hiring of Madeleine Setchell as a senior communications advisor for the Environment Ministry.
Ms Setchell's partner was the chief press secretary for National Party leader John Key.
In May, Mr Benson-Pope lost an acrimonious selection battle to Ms Curran and said afterwards that he had not ruled out standing for another party if approached.
Yesterday Helen Clark told the ODT that Mr Benson-Pope was "still coming to caucus, he is here today and he is carrying out his duties to the election. He has been supportive of the team overall."
- NZHERALD STAFF
