Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope's political future is on the line on Saturday when he faces down two serious union-supported challengers for his seat.
The Otago Daily Times understands union backing for the Dunedin South nomination is split between two candidates who both claim wide community support - Labour Party elected official Clare Curran, who has worked for the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union president Don Pryde.
There appears to be no union support for Mr Benson-Pope.
Yesterday, Mr Benson-Pope was unbowed when contacted by the ODT.
Asked how he rated his chances, the MP said he had been working hard and talking to as many constituents as he could before the vote on Saturday.
‘‘My view hasn't changed. A small number of people have taken their eye off the ball, but I have got strong support out here.
‘‘No-one expects me to stop doing the job just because someone else wants it. I haven't stopped doing my job and there is no embarrassment about subjecting yourself to public scrutiny.
‘‘That's what's happening on Saturday and that's fine with me.''
Mr Benson-Pope said he was proud of his record in the Dunedin South community, stretching back to his time as a teacher at Bayfield High School, an elected member of the Dunedin City Council, and as an MP since 1999.
Mr Benson-Pope was embroiled in controversy last year over the relationship between Madeleine Setchell, who joined the Environment Ministry in a senior communications role, and National Party leader John Key's chief press secretary, Kevin Taylor.
His handling of that incident eventually led to his resignation from Cabinet and apparent moves by the party to replace him as the Labour candidate in Dunedin South for this year's election.
Ms Curran did not escape media scrutiny, with her role as an adviser in the ministry being raised in Parliament. Later, her appointment to the ministry was the subject of a State Services Commission report.
Ms Curran told the ODT yesterday she was committed to the contest on Saturday and had no regrets about putting her name forward.
‘‘I have worked hard to talk to all the Labour Party members in the electorate. I have been listening to what they say and what others in the electorate have had to say.
‘‘I respect their views and am trusting the party members to make the right decision on the day.''
Mr Pryde had also been in contact with many of the party members in the electorate, he said in an interview.
The contest would be close, but he was hopeful he would get enough support on the day to clinch the nomination.
The EPMU was still strongly supporting his bid to become the candidate and was planning to have enough members attend on Saturday to win the floor vote, a crucial part of the process, he said.
The EPMU is the major fundraiser and supplier of volunteers for the party and usually has the most influence within the party of any union grouping.
Mr Pryde was working full-time as well as juggling his selection priorities, something all candidates said they would continue to do this week.
Third challenger, PSA organiser Keith McFadyen, was noncommittal when pressed yesterday about whether he would be standing on Saturday.
A six-person panel will make the selection. Party headquarters will supply three, two will be supplied by the Labour electorate committee (LEC), one member will be voted from the floor and there will be an additional vote from the eligible attending delegates, making seven official votes in all.
But party headquarters also has an agenda and if it decides Mr Benson-Pope must be replaced, it is unlikely he will win on Saturday, no matter how popular he might appear to be among ordinary voters.
