National's president drops chance to collar the press

National Party president Michelle Boag has pulled out of a speech she was to have given tomorrow to the National Press Club in Wellington, entitled "Yes, we can win".

She cited publicity surrounding her presidency and said the speech would provide "an unwelcome distraction from the election campaign". She offered deputy leader Roger Sowry instead.

Club spokesman Mike Gibson said he was annoyed and did not think Mr Sowry would attract as many as the 50 or so guests who had been expected.

Ms Boag had been invited well before the early election was called and had confirmed the engagement only last week.

"The only previous person in my 25 years' involvement with the Press Club who has cancelled was an Israeli war minister who cancelled about 12 years ago when there was some snap war on in the Middle East."

Ms Boag said yesterday that she had received significant media prominence for "unattributed and unsubstantiated claims relating to my presidency".

She was referring to unsourced reports that some party members held her responsible for National's dismal ratings and wanted her to go.

She also said: "I have been informed that the New Zealand Herald was polling National voters on the issue of the National Party presidency immediately following these claims being made as lead items on both television news programmes.

"Such polling cannot be objective.

"Any claims, especially anonymous ones, about the National Party presidency have no substance or relevance to this election campaign.

"My scheduled address to the National Press Club under these circumstances provides an unwelcome distraction from the election campaign."

Assistant editor John Roughan said the Herald had been polling about various post-election issues every night since last Friday.

Those who identified themselves as National supporters were asked their view of Ms Boag's performance in the campaign.

The questions had nothing to do with news items on Sunday night.

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