Majority hopes alive, says Labour party president

Labour party president Mike Williams says his party can still win an outright majority, despite latest polls showing its support slipping.

A TV One-Colmar Brunton poll broadcast on Sunday night showed Labour down five points to 46 per cent, meaning it would have to seek support from the Greens or New Zealand First to form a government.

The party has consistently polled over 50 per cent but there are now signs its popularity is being eroded.

Asked in a TV One interview yesterday about the chance of a majority on July 27, Mr Williams replied: "It's still possible. Look at the timing of the poll - it occurred over a particularly bad time for Labour including a period of serious accusations of a coverup but not the period that [coverup] was refuted."

He was referring to the GM corn scare ignited by the Nicky Hager book Seeds of Distrust.

The TV One poll also showed National down, slipping three points to 27 per cent.

The poll showed the small parties were taking votes from Labour and National.

Mr Williams said small parties tended to do well at the beginning of campaigns but faded away at the end.

- NZPA

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