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Green Party candidate Mike Ward has scuttled his party co-leader Russel Norman's hopes of getting into Parliament before the election, saying it was better for Mr Norman to hit the campaign trail rather than become a rookie MP so close to an election.
Yesterday Nandor Tanczos said he would remain in Parliament until the election after Mike Ward refused to cede his eighth 2005 list placing to allow Mr Norman, at number 10, to step in.
Mr Ward's decision is contrary to the hopes of the party's co-leaders who had hoped Mr Norman could replace Mr Tanczos before the election to give him both the extra profile and resources that came with the role of MP.
Yesterday Jeanette Fitzsimons said she was "somewhat disappointed" at Mr Ward's stance, and did not agree with his view that Mr Norman was better off having time for full-time campaigning rather than bogged down in Parliamentary duties.
"No, I don't agree with it, but he certainly has a right to that view. It is Mike's absolute right. He's next on the list and chose not to step aside for Russel. We move on."
Mr Ward said his discussions with party leaders were "quite robust" and admitted his decision was unpopular.
However, it made more sense to put someone who already had experience in Parliament in for the few months prior to the election, rather than Mr Norman who would get bogged down in parliamentary duties.
"Russel is doing a really good job and part of his advantage is that he isn't tied up in Parliament. I don't think anybody could say he isn't making a good job of it. His experience is relatively limited but his performance is excellent."
Mr Ward suffered in the 2008 list rankings, slipping from eight in 2005 to 14, where he has little chance of entering Parliament.
His initial ranking by delegates was 29, but he was boosted up by the party's wider membership for final rankings. He also stood against both Mr Norman and Mr Tanczos to replace Rod Donald as the co-leader.
He denied it was "sour grapes" and said he would continue to campaign for the party in the lead-up to the election.
"There are elements that I think I would add to that caucus that are worthwhile, but I think it's a remarkably successful caucus. It's certainly not sour grapes."
If Mr Ward had hoped to re-enter Parliament, his hopes were dashed - Mr Tanczos said he had made it clear to Mr Ward from the beginning he would not leave Parliament early unless Mr Norman replaced him.
Mr Norman said there were advantages in becoming an MP before the election, but remaining outside Parliament gave him more time to campaign. He said Mr Ward's decision was "part of the democratic process."
Catherine Delahunty, at number nine, had agreed to step aside for Mr Norman.
