Maggie cleared but rumours persist

The two written complaints lodged against the selection of George Maggie Angene the CIP candidate for Tupapa have been found unjustified by the CIP Executive.
Vice President Mark Brown advised the Times on Friday that complaints laid by Papa Kura Strickland and Maryanne Poaru were investigated and issues raised checked against the provisions of the Constitution. President Rau Nga and Party Leader Henry Puna were to contact the complainants to advise the findings.
Brown acknowledged there may be a hard core of dissatisfied CIP supporters who may continue to voice their disapproval of Maggie. However, Maggie’s selection reflected the principles the CIP want to adhere to which were open membership regardless of political affiliation and allowing the people to decide who should represent the Party-not the committee or the executive. Maggie was chosen and now the bickering had to stop and the fight for the treasury benches begin.
Brown said once the election date is announced a series of deadlines comes into force. The nomination of the candidate to the electoral office requires the endorsement of the Party President. Public servants have a deadline for them to tender their resignations.
The CIP Constitution rule concerning the six months requirement of service to the Party will be subject to review after the election says Brown. With an election possible within the next six months, strict adherence to this rule would disqualify many people from supporting the Party.
“George Maggie is the CIP’s problem,” Sir Terepai Maoate Leader of the Democratic Party told the Times on Thursday morning.
While he has no problem with George (Maggie) Angene personally, he would not comment on the rumours that there will be a backlash of CIP voters against Maggie.
One CIP Member of Parliament, has indeed predicted there will be a voter backlash against the CIP for the selection of Maggie as the Tupapa candidate. He thinks those voters will cast a protest vote for the Demo candidate John Tangi or an Independent or they may not vote at all. He points the finger at the CIP Constitution as making it possible for someone like Maggie to put his name forward.
After speaking to some people in Tupapa, there’s another impression emerging which is one of built up frustration with the sitting MP who has not dealt with thorny local issues like the roads and low water pressure. People are looking for someone who can deliver and Maggie’s record and recent efforts in the district point to him being that person. The outcome of the voting in Tupapa appears then to be not so much about what the CIP as a party can deliver but what the individual can. In this regard, Maggie’s the man.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
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