1976 Nelson by-election

Last updated

1976 Nelson by-election
Flag of New Zealand.svg
  1975 general 28 February 1976 1978 general  
Turnout17,470 (79.03%)
  Mel Courtney.tif No image.png
Candidate Mel Courtney Peter Malone
Party Labour National
Popular vote8,4186,913
Percentage48.18 39.57

Member before election

Sir Stanley Whitehead
Labour

Elected Member

Mel Courtney
Labour

The Nelson by-election was a by-election in the New Zealand electorate of Nelson a predominantly urban seat at the top of the South Island.

Contents

Background

The by-election was precipitated by the death of sitting Labour Party member of parliament and Speaker of the House Sir Stanley Whitehead on 9 January 1976. Whitehead had been re-elected two months earlier at the 1975 general election which saw the defeat of the Third Labour Government, of which he was a member. [1]

As a new session of Parliament had not begun Whitehead was still legally the Speaker of the House. As such, the Governor-General, Denis Blundell, gazetted the vacancy of the seat as the acting speaker and gave the instructed the Clerk of the Writs to issue a writ for the by-election. [2]

Candidates

Labour

After Labour's shock defeat at the 1975 election Labour leader Bill Rowling was facing open concerns about the effectiveness of his leadership. His first test as Leader of the Opposition came with the Nelson by-election which became seen as crucial to his future. Media commentators were openly suggesting he could not survive should Labour suffer two losses in a row. [3] There was a concerted effort to seek candidates with links to Nelson as there were fears in the area that MPs who had lost their seats in 1975 would become "parachute candidates". [4] Defeated Waitemata MP Michael Bassett was asked about the Nelson candidacy but he ruled it out saying he was not interested in Nelson and "nor would Nelson be interested in me." [5]

The candidates for the nomination were: [6]

Mel Courtney, a 32-year-old supermarket proprietor, was chosen as the candidate. He had lived in Nelson for six years and was a member of the Nelson City Council. He was originally from Christchurch and had been the vice-chairman of the Sydenham Labour Representation Committee and was a Labour candidate for the Christchurch City Council in 1968. His selection was a surprise given the presence of more well-known contenders (Davies was runner up). [7] [8] Rowling's preferred choice was Palmer. [6] As Palmer had neither liven in the area for decades and had been a party member for less than two-years there was resistance to Palmer's nomination. A group of local party members threatened legal action over his membership tenure if he was nominated. To prevent a split in the membership Arthur Baysting, the secretary of the Nelson Labour Electorate Committee (LEC), pushed for Courtney to be selected believing him to be the most electable alternative to Palmer. [9]

National

The National Party were confident of their chances to flip the seat following their convincing win in 1975. Top officials in the party were not only predicting a win, but that they may get as much as a 2,000 vote majority. [10] At the same time Labour were conducting their selection meeting, National conducted a pre-selection meeting lasting six hours to reduce the number of applicants to a shortlist of five. [8]

The candidates for the nomination were:

Malone was elected on the first ballot at a meeting of 150 members (70 of whom were voting delegates). [11] His selection was contrary to expectation as McLennan was seen as the front-runner. [12]

Social Credit

Two people came forward to represent the Social Credit Party, Cliff Beer and Rudolph Muller. Muller was selected. He had contested the Tasman electorate in 1975. [13]

Campaign

Courtney waged a local issues campaign and proved "an excellent choice" as a candidate. Courtney, a Nelson City Councillor, stressed Nelson's needs as a community as the major theme of his campaign which was managed by MPs Colin Moyle and Arthur Faulkner. Moyle, Faulkner and Labour leader Bill Rowling spoke at meetings in support of Courtney and defended him from attacks by National that he was the wrong choice of a candidate and that Palmer was more suitable highlighting that Courtney had lived and worked in Nelson for the last 6 years while Palmer had not. [14] He had "lived in Nelson for a number of years", was a Nelson City Councillor and struck a chord with electors: "Nelson is a unique place to live and consequently a local person (Mr Courtney) can best serve local interests". [15] Malone's campaign manager was Stuart Bowater who planned a strategy of mobilising the 2,000 National Party members in the electorate and then expanding support across the electorate. Several National MPs including cabinet ministers campaigned for Malone as well. [14] Social Credit Party leader Bruce Beetham campaigned in the by-election and drew on previous MP for Nelson Harry Atmore's record as an advocate for monetary reform and providing an independent voice for the area as evidence that Nelson residents could benefit from voting Social Credit instead of the main two parties. [16]

Results

The following table gives the election results:

1976 Nelson by-election [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Mel Courtney 8,418 48.18
National Peter Malone 6,91339.57
Values Gwen Struik1,5839.06+2.43
Social Credit Rudolph Muller4522.58
Imperial British Conservative Coronita Weallens380.21
Informal votes660.37
Majority1,5058.61
Turnout 17,47079.03–6.91
Registered electors 22,105
Labour hold Swing

Outcome

Labour fought a strong campaign and not only retained the seat but increased their majority as well, the victory at the polls vindicated the decision of the Labour Party's selection committee. [18]

Courtney won with a majority of 1505 (he increased the majority Whitehead had achieved in the 1975 general election by an impressive 50 per cent-only three months after the National Party's landslide victory). Wellington's The Dominion newspaper reported that: "The defeat was a shock to the super-confident National Party organisers, including some of the party's top officials who were predicting a 2000-vote National majority". [10] The success in Nelson periodically quietened the speculation about Rowling's leadership. [19] [10]

Notes

  1. "Former Speaker of House is Dead". The Evening Post . 9 January 1976. p. 1.
  2. "By-election procedures". The Dominion . 10 January 1976. p. 3.
  3. Henderson 1981, pp. 153–4.
  4. "Nelson Wants a Local Lad For By-Election Rather Than a Reject From Somewhere Else". The Evening Post . 15 January 1976. p. 2.
  5. "Jobs wait on ex-MPs". The Dominion . 10 January 1976. p. 3.
  6. 1 2 Henderson 1981, pp. 154.
  7. "Labour Chooses Coastal Shipping Enthusiast to Contest Nelson". The Evening Post . 4 February 1976. p. 6.
  8. 1 2 "Labour chooses local man". The Dominion . 4 February 1976. p. 6.
  9. Mitchell, David (27 February 1981). "Can Mel follow where Atmore led?". Auckland Star . p. 6.
  10. 1 2 3 Long, Richard (1 March 1976). "Nelson vote makes Rowling's job safer". The Dominion . p. 1.
  11. "National names its man". The Dominion . 5 February 1976. p. 1.
  12. "National". The Evening Post . 4 February 1976. p. 6.
  13. "Candidate". The Evening Post . 2 February 1976. p. 3.
  14. 1 2 Kuiper, Hans (14 February 1976). "Major Parties Hard at Work Promoting Election to Nelsonians". The Evening Post . p. 48.
  15. (1976 Survey)
  16. "Nelson Has A Golden Opportunity, Says Leader of Social Credit". The Evening Post . 27 February 1976. p. 4.
  17. Norton 1988, p. 286.
  18. "Clear-cut win to Labour in by-election". The Press . 1 March 1976. p. 1.
  19. Henderson 1981, pp. 153.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Hunt (New Zealand politician)</span> New Zealand politician and diplomat (1938–2024)

Jonathan Lucas Hunt was a New Zealand politician and diplomat. He started a 38-year parliamentary career as the Baby of the House and retired as Father of the House. During that tenure, he was Speaker of the House of Representatives. Afterwards, he served as New Zealand's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2005 to March 2008. He was a member of the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand's highest civilian honour, and given the nickname "Minister for Wine and Cheese" for enjoying those items.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Prebble</span> New Zealand politician (born 1948)

Richard William Prebble is a former member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996, becoming its leader from 1996 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Rowling</span> Prime minister of New Zealand from 1974 to 1975

Sir Wallace Edward Rowling, commonly known as Bill Rowling, was a New Zealand politician who was the 30th prime minister of New Zealand from 1974 to 1975. He held office as the leader of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1981 New Zealand general election</span> General election in New Zealand

The 1981 New Zealand general election, held on 28 November 1981, was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 40th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, win a third term in office, but the opposition Labour Party, led by Bill Rowling, won the largest share of the votes cast. Social Credit also won over 20% of the vote – their best result ever – but received no new seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 New Zealand general election</span> General election in New Zealand

The 1975 New Zealand general election was held on 29 November to elect MPs to the 38th session of the New Zealand Parliament. It was the first general election in New Zealand where 18- to 20-year-olds and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be elected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 New Zealand general election</span> General election in New Zealand

The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, but the opposition Labour Party won the largest share of the vote. Reorganisation of the enrolment system caused major problems with the electoral rolls, which left a legacy of unreliable information about voting levels in this election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Blincoe</span> New Zealand politician

John Gary Blincoe is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1990 to 1996, representing the Labour Party.

The Christchurch Central by-election of 1979 was a by-election during the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It was prompted by the death of Bruce Barclay, a Labour Party MP, and resulted in Geoffrey Palmer, also of the Labour Party, being elected to replace him for the seat of Christchurch Central. Palmer would eventually go on to become Prime Minister. The by-election was somewhat embarrassing for the National Party, whose candidate was pushed into third place by Social Credit's Terry Heffernan.

The Onehunga by-election of 1980 was a by-election for the Onehunga electorate during the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It was prompted by the death of Frank Rogers, a Labour Party MP. It was held on 7 June 1980 and was won by Fred Gerbic, also of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Whitehead</span> New Zealand politician

Sir Stanley Austin Whitehead was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was the eighteenth Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976, and Member of Parliament for the Nelson electorate from 1957 to 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson (New Zealand electorate)</span> Electoral district in Nelson, New Zealand

Nelson is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate, returning one Member of Parliament to the House of Representatives of New Zealand. From 1853 to 1860, the electorate was called Town of Nelson. From 1860 to 1881, it was City of Nelson. The electorate is the only one that has continuously existed since the 1st Parliament in 1853.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom McGuigan</span> New Zealand politician

Thomas Malcolm McGuigan was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel Courtney</span> New Zealand politician

Melvyn Francis Courtney is a Nelson City Councillor and a former Labour then Independent Member of Parliament for Nelson, in the South Island of New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin Moyle</span> New Zealand politician

Colin James Moyle is a former politician of the New Zealand Labour Party who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1963 to 1976 and again from 1981 to 1990. He was a Government minister in the Third Labour and Fourth Labour Governments. He was a close confidant of Bill Rowling during Rowling's short premiership. In the Fourth Labour Government, as Minister of Agriculture, Moyle oversaw the removal of farming subsidies and the establishment of a fisheries quota system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank O'Flynn</span> New Zealand politician

Francis Duncan O'Flynn was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald O'Brien</span> New Zealand politician

John Gerald O’Brien, known as Gerald O'Brien, was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Faulkner</span> New Zealand politician

Arthur James Faulkner was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Mangere by-election</span> New Zealand by-election

The Mangere by-election of 1977 was a by-election for the electorate of Mangere on 26 March 1977 during the 38th New Zealand Parliament. The by-election resulted from the resignation of the previous member Colin Moyle after accusations against him in parliament, and he was replaced by David Lange, also of the Labour Party. Apart from Lange, there were seven other candidates in the by-election.

On 3 February 1983, a New Zealand Labour Party leadership election was held to determine the leadership of the New Zealand Labour Party. The leadership was won by Mangere MP David Lange, who had been Deputy Leader of the party since 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wybrow</span> New Zealand politician and diplomat (1928–2019)

John Francis William Wybrow was a New Zealand politician and diplomat. He was the secretary of the Labour Party and later New Zealand's High Commissioner to Canada.

References