'Silent' Goldsmith ahead in Epsom
Survey puts 'invisible candidate' Paul Goldsmith well ahead in the battle for Epsom.
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Paul Goldsmith, nicknamed National’s “invisible candidate” may finish first in the Epsom electorate, as National and Labour voters unite against ACT.
A street survey of 180 voters run by NZ Herald Online, shows 32% said they would be voting for Mr Goldsmith, with ACT candidate John Banks following close behind at 25% and Labour’s David Parker falling behind on just 6%.
John Key has recently been encouraging Epsom voters to support Mr Banks in order to ensure National has a preferred coalition partner, but Mr Goldsmith seems to be taking the lead by keeping a low profile.
Mr Goldsmith was photographed last weekend removing his own campaign billboards from the Epsom electorate after they had been erected without proper authorisation.
However, remaining out of the spotlight has not deterred Epsom residents from showing their support, regardless of National’s endorsement of taking on ACT as a possible coalition partner.
Many Labour voters have come to a rare point of agreement with voters for National, saying that they would send their vote to Mr Goldsmith in order to keep ACT out of Parliament.
With just five days left until election day, the Epsom result is far from being set in stone.
Robert McCambridge
Mon, 21 Nov 2011
Mon, 21 Nov 2011
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'Silent' Goldsmith ahead in Epsom
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