By United Hutt
Lower Hutt Mayoral candidate Tony Stallinger says it’s time to clear up once and for all whether or not mayor Campbell Barry has signed a Labour Party pledge to faithfully observe Labour Party policy in Lower Hutt.
Mayor Barry has denied that he has, but when speaking about Labour Party candidates, Rob Salmond, the General Secretary of Labour was recently quoted as saying:
“These candidates have to sign a pledge with the party, committing them to “faithfully observe” the party’s rules and the policy platform,” Salmond said. “If elected to council, the Labour candidates decide together how to vote on decisions – forming a voting bloc.”
Stallinger says “The Labour Party Constitution is publicly available and confirms Mr Salmond’s statements. Mr Barry needs to disclose what he has pledged as a Labour candidate.”
“I therefore call on Mayor Barry to publicly release all the paperwork he has signed with the Labour party in both 2019 and 2022.”
“Campbell Barry repeatedly says that he is open and transparent, so let’s see this promise put into action”, says Mr Stallinger.
Hutt residents need a Mayor and Council free to advocate strongly in their interests, not compromised by pledging an allegiance beyond Hutt residents and ratepayers. This becomes especially important when government pushes big change agendas like intensification and Three Waters.
“This is a critical issue for this election” says Mr Stallinger. “We can’t continue to have a Council that doesn’t engage comprehensively with residents on important issues, particularly where residents are generally opposed to central government policy changes.
Appendix
– extracts from the Labour Party Constitution & reference to Rob Salmond’s comments.
Rob Salmond’s comments about the pledge:
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/129922696/why-some-local-candidates-are-affiliated-with-political-parties
Labour Party constitution:
https://elections.nz/assets/Party-rules/Labour-Party-Rules-and-Constitution-August-2021.pdf
Rule 8.53 PLEDGE MUST BE SIGNED BY CANDIDATES
8.53.1: Any person accepting nomination as a Party candidate contesting Local Body election must individually sign the pledge to abide by Party Rules and Principles in the presence of not less than 2 financial members.
Rule 4.2 POLICY PLATFORM IS BINDING:
4.2.1: The Policy Platform is binding on:….
(d) All Labour Party members elected to public office who describe their affiliation as “Labour” or “Labour Party” on the ballot.
Rule 12.4 PARTY CANDIDATES PLEDGE
12.4.1 Any person accepting nomination as a Party candidate must sign a pledge….
12.4.1(e) I will faithfully observe the Constitution and Policy Platform and Policy of the Party.
