Labour candidate votes National to help Labour

Labour candidate Stuart Nash cast his vote for the opposition yesterday, endorsing National MP Richard Worth's return to Parliament.

Prime Minister Helen Clark last week urged Epsom to vote for National to keep Act and its leader Rodney Hide out.

Mr Nash said: "We've been telling Labour voters left, right and centre to vote for Richard Worth to make sure Rodney Hide doesn't get back, and I followed that advice."

The young Labour candidate is seen as a bright prospect for the party in future elections. He is the great grandson of former Prime Minister Sir Walter Nash, and has winning charm.

"I hope what's happened today is the people of Epsom have contributed to the Labour Party being the only party capable of forming a government."

He had earlier dismissed the chance of National voters supporting Mr Hide: "They will not have it in their hearts."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY