Ōtaki Labour Party list MP Darren Hughes told a packed hall in Waikanae last night that he will win back the seat in 2011.
Mr Hughes, seen by many as future Prime Minister material, was narrowly defeated in the Ōtaki electorate at the last election by National’s Nathan Guy.
“The seat is very winnable for us. A very small swing will do the job. Labour has a great team on the ground and the organisation is in great heart,” he said.
Labour’s deputy leader Annette King was also at the meeting as keynote speaker.
“Darren is a star in caucus. He is the shadow leader of Parliament and Chief Whip. I want to pay tribute to the enormous amount of work Darren does in Parliament and in the Ōtaki electorate.”
Ms King said the Government is making itself very unpopular with cuts to education, and health while increasing GST and offering tax cuts that only benefit the highest paid.
“The cuts to homecare are forcing elderly people from their homes and cuts to community education programmes have hit smaller communities particularly.
“This government has made big cuts in public health spending and a lot of funding has been removed from mental health. I believe this will be a one term government and we will again lead New Zealand in 2011 and Darren Hughes will be your MP for Ōtaki,” said Ms King.