Politics

National picks Lee to contest Mt Albert by-election

22:18 pm on 4 May 2009

The National Party has selected list MP Melissa Lee to contest the Mt Albert by-election.

Ms Lee won the nomination on Monday night ahead of National's two-time candidate for the seat, Ravi Musuku.

As expected, Ms Lee emerged the clear winner, following an hour-long selection meeting in the electorate.

The Korean-born MP is pleased to be flying the flag for National and paid tribute Mr Musuku, saying either way the party would have been well represented.

In turn, a visibly disappointed Mr Musuku says Ms Lee will be a worthy candidate.

On Sunday, Labour named its candidate David Shearer, who is quitting his job as deputy head of United Nations' humanitarian operations in Iraq to stand for Parliament.

He says he is totally committed to Labour and Mt Albert, and will spend the next six weeks knocking on doors and talking on street corners.

He will be joined on the hustings by ACT list MP John Boscawen and Green Party co-leader Russel Norman.

Mr Norman says he is the only "progressive" candidate since Mr Shearer comes from the right-wing of Labour.

Mr Boscawen says his team aims to knock on 15,000 doors before polling day, and despite the odds being stacked against his party, anything could happen.

The by-election for the seat, which was held by former Prime Minister Helen Clark, will take place on 13 June.