National's new candidate for Clutha-Southland does not want to talk about departing MP Todd Barclay and the rancour that remains in the electorate.
Hamish Walker (32) was selected on Wednesday to run in the National Party stronghold after Mr Barclay quit amid mounting pressure over allegations he secretly recorded a staff member.
It is understood Mr Walker received strong backing from members who stayed loyal to Mr Barclay.It gave him the edge over the more experienced Vanessa van Uden, a former Queenstown Lakes mayor. T
he electorate remains divided by the fallout from Mr Barclay’s problems.
Mr Walker was keen to avoid the thorny issues when pressed to respond in an interview yesterday.
"I was selected last night, and judging by the reaction of the delegates, everyone’s looking forward to moving on and fighting the campaign."
Asked if he would need to bring the two sides together within the membership, he said he would be working hard to meet as many voters as possible. Asked if he was glossing over the problems, he said: ‘It’s a democratic process. I was selected last night and everyone’s looking forward to moving forward.
"As I’ve said, I was selected last night. I’m looking forward to the September 23 election ..." he said when asked again.
He refused to comment on the unusual circumstances that led to his candidacy.
In June, police reopened an inquiry into a complaint against Mr Barclay after renewed publicity about the issue.
Police investigated last year and did not press charges, citing lack of evidence. It cleared the way for Mr Barclay to be reselected, and he fought off challenger Simon Flood.
On Wednesday night, Mr Barclay posted a supportive message on social media congratulating his "good mate" Mr Walker.
"At the end of the day, Todd’s worked tirelessly for the electorate over the last three years, so I thought that was very kind of him to post that," Mr Walker said when asked about the post.
Mr Walker, a self-employed business adviser, moved to South Otago from Dunedin several weeks ago.
He declined to disclose which businesses he had advised, saying it was commercially sensitive.
Electorate chairwoman Margot Hishon could not be contacted for comment.
A party member, who did not want to be named, said there was a strong perception that members who supported Mr Barclay had swung in behind Mr Walker as a group.
"I felt that Vanessa [van Uden] had the experience and the maturity that the electorate needed at the moment."
The party member said Mr Walker presented well and had a pleasant demeanour.
Mr Walker had needed to reassure members he had the necessary maturity, as some felt uneasy about backing another young MP, the party member said.
