Clarkson standing

NZPA reports Bob Clarkson is standing again for Tauranga:

Last year the straight-talking MP said he frequently felt out of place in Parliament, which was much better suited to “bookworm types”.

He questioned whether he would be able to achieve much as a backbench MP and said, at 68, he was also getting on in age and had other things he wanted to achieve.

But Mr Clarkson today said he had decided to stand again.

He said a key factor in his decision was the finalisation of National’s housing policy.

“We had our final meeting on Wednesday this week. We’ve amalgamated our policies between the three of us on affordable homes, state homes, leaky homes and various other matters and I’m really really excited.

“I’ve got a fair bit of my own stuff through that’s part of the package,” he told NZPA.

“I’m an achievement driven guy and I was not going to sit in government … if I was not going to be able to achieve as that would be wasting taxpayers’ money.”

Peters’ campaign in 2005 was a disgrace with his dirt digging and mud throwing as he desperately tried to retain office.  It failed, as did his electoral petition. If Peters stands again, I suspect he will fight dirty again.