Gordon to contest seat for Harre's Alliance

Alliance MP Liz Gordon yesterday announced she would stand again for Parliament at this year's election, in a speech pledging her loyalty to party leader Laila Harre.

Dr Gordon, a founding member of the Alliance, stayed with the party after Jim Anderton left to set up the Progressive Coalition party, taking five MPs with him.

However, she had not then made up her mind whether she would stand.

Party president Matt McCarten gave her until the end of the month to make a decision.

In Parliament yesterday she said that although she "hated the bar-room brawl politics practised in Parliament and magnified in the media", she had decided to stand again, for Christchurch Central.

Dr Gordon, a list member, said Ms Harre was the "secret weapon Jim Anderton kept in the closet".

"To me she is two things, the new face of the Alliance and, that rarity in Parliament, my dear and trustworthy friend."

Dr Gordon also took a veiled swipe at Mr Anderton, saying some Alliance MPs had declined his offer to "ride on his coat tails to a new political home after the next election".

"For this decision we have received some wonderful support from New Zealanders," she said.

"Everyone loves a politician who shows a shred of decency or a spark of principle."

Ms Harre welcomed Dr Gordon's decision.

- NZPA