Originally Posted by
elZorro
I don't think the Mt Albert by-election will be a sideshow. I think you'll see the full effort of the Labour party people on the ground, they'll most likely have a very popular candidate who is clearly up to the job and lives in the electorate, who has done a lot of time in front of the camera and always handled it well. National were correct to assume that this electorate will stay with a Labour MP, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't front up and try to compete.
It's the same type of action they have been using for eight years with the wider country - if things go wrong then pretend it doesn't matter, mouth a few good intentions at a TV camera, or at worst try a diluted version of Labour policy.