John Banks makes move for Epsom

SARAH HARVEY

Former Auckland City mayor and National MP John Banks has today put his name forward to be the Act party's candidate for the Epsom electorate in this year's general election. 

The nomination ends speculation about whether Banks would make the step back into political life following his defeat in the Auckland Council mayoral election last year. 

Banks, who was Auckland mayor for two three-year terms and a National MP for 18 years, placed his nomination at the party's head office in Newmarket this afternoon, and at the same time put his application in to become a member of the party.  He said he would not be renewing his 38-year membership of the National party because neither party allows dual membership.

''It has been a long time since I have been in a process like this,'' he told Stuff.

''It is very exciting. It started for me a long time ago. I've gone from sleeping rough in the Auckland Domain to Parliament house, to the town hall and back to the town hall and hopefully back to Parliament house within three decades.''

Banks said he would take his chances with the Epsom nomination and said he was happy to step aside if a better qualified person was to step forward, and the party wanted them.

To date, with nominations closing on Tuesday, no other people have stepped forward. 

He said it would be over to the leadership and board of the Act party to make the decision, but he had the backing and friendship of leader Don Brash.  ''I've known Don since I campaigned with him in 1981.''

Banks said he was putting his nomination forward because the country was in ''serious trouble'' and John Key needed a reliable partner in government, and ''10 to 12 Act members will do that''.

He said 10-12 MPs was what the party was hoping for and would be a great result.

Banks, who is 64, said he was in excellent health.

''I'm in great shape. I'm arguably only half the way through my political life.''

He said his wife, Amanda, had been ''very supportive'' of his decision to go for the candidacy but his children were not so sure. 

Banks said it would be ''over to the voters of Epsom'' to decide who would win the seat.  ''They know me for better and for worse, they know what I stand for and over the next six months they will know what I stand against. I respect the voters of Epsom.''

Banks said if he was chosen as the candidate he would not only be campaigning in Epsom but he would ''put my shoulder to the wheel'' and ''get up and down the country into rural and provincial area . . . give the party a hand.

''It is going to be quite an interesting six months.''

Nominees for the Act party's Epsom electorate candidacy will be interviewed by the party board at their monthly meeting on May 28.

- © Fairfax NZ News