30 Jan 2014

ACT candidates hold public meeting

9:21 pm on 30 January 2014

Candidates vying for the ACT Party leadership and the chance to run in the Epsom electorate are holding their one and only public meeting in Auckland on Thursday night.

Its only MP, John Banks, is stepping down as leader and quitting Parliament at this year's general election as he defends court action over local body electoral donations in 2010.

The ACT board is refusing to release the final list of the candidates. However, three hopefuls have made their intentions known.

Former MP, government minister and party president John Boscawen is running for both leader and the Epsom candidacy.

Jamie Whyte, an academic and management consultant, is also contesting both positions but says he would prefer the leadership.

David Seymour is contesting only the Epsom candidacy.

The board will announce its decision on Sunday.