McAnulty out to win 'old fashioned way'

DOING IT OLD SCHOOL: Kieran McAnulty is not interested in going on the Labour list. PHOTO/FILE

Wairarapa's Labour candidate Kieran McAnulty has turned his back on becoming a list MP.

Mr McAnulty said yesterday he is determined to win Wairarapa "the old fashioned way" saying he will not be seeking a position on Labour's list in this year's election.

Mr McAnulty, understood to be the only Labour candidate not seeking a list position, says his decision not to stand on the list demonstrates his commitment to Wairarapa.

"There is a huge difference between a candidate who wants to represent his home region and one who just wants to get into Parliament. For too long Wairarapa has gone without a strong, local voice in Parliament. Wairarapa people want an MP whose primary focus is Wairarapa. They want an MP who is committed to them. This is my way of demonstrating that commitment," said Mr McAnulty.

"Like most Wairarapa people, I hold a strong connection to this region. My family have lived in Wairarapa for five generations and I have no intention of leaving. I had the opportunity to contest other seats - potentially easier seats to win - but I wasn't interested. I chose to stand here because Wairarapa is my home and has been all my life."

He said a strong local voice is essential if Wairarapa is to reach its potential. "This region is full of innovative, hardworking people, but without an MP who understands them and the issues they face, they will continue to find it harder and harder to get ahead."

By not standing on the list Mr McAnulty will need to win the electorate vote in Wairarapa in order to get into Parliament and he is confident he can win Wairarapa.

"I am fully aware of the task ahead of me, but I can do it. The Labour Party in Wairarapa is now one of the best organised in the country and has a membership force that has doubled in the last year. I have a well-oiled campaign team behind me and my messaging and vision for Wairarapa is appealing far beyond our traditional support base.

"I know that Labour has the policies to deliver jobs and growth to Wairarapa. That's real jobs; well-paid work that provides people with a decent standard of living and a future for their families. It is as the Labour MP for Wairarapa in a Labour Government that I can have the greatest effect."