Dunedin Election Blog
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
 
Alliance voice needed in Parliament
The Alliance will be the only socialist party on the ballot paper in this year’s General Election and while the Greens will be strong competitors for the left vote, that does not necessarily mean they are a “Left” party, Alliance members say. 
The Alliance is gearing up for its election campaign after a series of regional list conferences held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin last Saturday.
Party members ranked their top regional candidates in bands of three and elected two co-leaders, Jill Ovens and Paul Piesse, both trade union organisers.
Mr Piesse, from Christchurch, says the Alliance is running a campaign to win List votes, but is also standing 12 candidates in working class electorates in each of the main centres, as well as Otaki where clothing workers have been hard hit by the removal of tariffs.
“There needs to be a left-wing party representing working people in New Zealand. In the 2005 election, this will be the Alliance Party,” Mr Piesse says.
He says Party members are mindful that some who have voted Alliance in the past may be thinking of voting for the Greens or the Maori Party because the Alliance has dropped from the media radar.
“The Alliance Party still has the only comprehensive democratic socialist policies and voice. We need to be offering an alternative vision for all New Zealanders,” Mr Piesse says.
Tom Dowie, the Alliance candidate for Wigram, told members at the Christchurch list conference he was “not into a utopian view of a green planet while the poor, sick and elderly suffered from a lack of affordable electricity”.
He said he supported the Maori Party’s struggle, but was concerned about reported statements of Maori Party leader Tariana Turia that the Party would consult its people for advice on potential coalitions and that it remained open-minded about possible partners.
”I am not interested in gambling my vote in the hope that they will go left. I would feel like a right Wally if they drifted right instead. While others might consider my vote for the Alliance a wasted vote, I see it as voting for the type of society that I wish to see. That is why the vote was developed in the first place.”
Members at the regional list conferences selected representatives for the Party’s List Committee which will meet May 7/8 to rank the candidates.
 
Those on the Alliance List are:
Kelly Buchanan           
Victor Billot                 
Tom Dowie                 
Sandra Ethell
Julie Fairey                  
Quentin Findlay           
James Flynn                 
Chris Ford
Eric Gamble                
Robert Harrison           
Francie Haslemore       
Joe Hendren
Marvin Hubbard          
Margaret Jeune            
Greg Kleis                   
Peta Knibb
Andrew McKenzie      
Norman MacRitchie    
Gail Marmont              
Kane O’Connell
Jill Ovens                     
Paul Piesse                  
Colin Pounder             
Paul Protheroe
Len Richards               
Robert van Ruyssevelt

Comments:
No, that is simply not correct. The National and Labour parties both have policies that are intended to maintain the current status quo in terms of wealth distribution and power in society.

We live in a capitalist society, although one in which some pragmatic policies have been put in place to ensure some social cohesion.

The Alliance Party seeks a change to the structures of society. In the long term, it is my view that only an international move towards a society based around providing for genuine human need rather than profit can avoid the environmental and social catastrophes that lie ahead if we continue with the current structures.

Of course, such a society would require independent, aware citizens working together in a voluntary and social way. It will be a long road to get there. But I haven't seen any other solution.
 
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