New Complexion On Nelson Voting (Press, 6 August 1987)

The upcoming election in the Nelson electorate is marked by significant changes, notably the absence of Mel Courtney, a pivotal figure in local politics for over a decade. Courtney, who initially entered Parliament in a 1976 by-election as a Labour Party candidate, had a complex political journey that included a split from Labour to run as an independent. His tenure saw him almost win the seat as an independent in 1981, a close contest that resulted in a loss by just 698 votes. In 1984, he was defeated by Labour's Philip Woollaston, who won decisively. Now, with Courtney not running, almost 9000 votes are up for grabs, leading to speculation about how this will impact the election dynamics. Woollaston, now a Cabinet Undersecretary, is likely to see increased support, having garnered a substantial majority in the last election, even amid some discontent among traditional Labour voters. Woollaston claims to have maintained a positive record and expects to communicate effectively with voters during the campaign. He has faced criticism for media depictions of Nelson and insists that employment is on the rise despite claims to the contrary. The National Party's Bob Straight is vying for the seat for a second time, expressing confidence that former supporters of Courtney will rally to him. Straight, a retired Army lieutenant-colonel, holds conservative views, opposing issues like abortion and supporting a return to historical alliances. He anticipates gaining traction from disgruntled superannuitants unhappy with the current Government's surtax. Nick Barber, a first-term city councillor and former supporter of Courtney, is also running as an independent, advocating for moral issues and economic justice. His campaign is characterised by a focus on dissatisfaction with the major parties. Similarly, Mike Ward from the Values Party aims to capitalise on environmental issues, though he realistically seeks to increase his vote rather than win the seat outright. Other candidates in the contest include Jack Collin from the Democratic Party, who is preparing to launch his campaign closer to election day, and Mike Hackman, who decided to run as an independent due to dissatisfaction with existing options. The 1987 election for Nelson is shaping up to be notable for its diverse slate of candidates and the potential for significant shifts in voter sentiment, especially with the political landscape altered by Courtney's exit from the race.

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