The ACT Party has announced their newest “high profile” candidate, former Federated Farmers president, Don Nicolson.
Nicolson will stand against National’s Bill English in the Clutha-Southland electorate but says he does not intend to win the seat, rather pick up party votes.
“I’m not interested in the electorate seat, I’m looking for the party vote…It’s an honour to stand in [Mr English’s] electorate but I don’t intend to win the electorate,” Mr Nicolson said.
“There are a lot of farmers in that region…and I think they will give their party vote to me for legitimate reasons”.
Leader Don Brash says Mr Nicolson will be “focussed on winning votes for the ACT party up and down the country, especially in the agricultural sector”.
“We are very delighted about it, the board is delighted about it, I’m delighted about it and all members of the caucus are pleased about it.”
Although Mr Nicolson is focussed on getting party votes, he has not received a list placing yet and says “I leave that to the board and I trust their decision”.
Mr Nicolson says he agrees with ACT’s policies saying “they are where the National Party used to be six years ago”, especially in regards to race
“I support one law for all and legislation that is colour-blind and sadly it is not colour blind currently. We need to get back to having legislation that is driven without any colour attached to it”.
Mr Nicolson wants to abolish the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), saying “most New Zealanders have told me they don’t know what the ETS achieves [and it is] just a movement of cash”.
Mr Nicolson says his decision to join ACT is not because of Dr Brash’s leadership and he would have joined if Rodney Hide was still at the helm.
Dr Brash says the only candidate the ACT Party will put up with the intent to win an electorate seat is John Banks in Epsom, meaning if he gets the seat, the party does not have to worry about the 5 percent party vote threshold.
Dr Brash says there are more candidates to be announced over the coming months, including “highly competent women, some younger people and some people who are not European”.
Maori candidates have also been on the cards for Dr Brash who says he’s had “two or three” who have shown interest but none have come to fruition yet.
3 News