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“Beetham disappointed by showing”

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Description: This image was taken by the Evening Standard, but a slightly different image was published on the 27th of October 1990. It depicts New Zealand Democratic Party leader Bruce Beetham and his wife Beverley during election night.

The caption read: “BRUCE Beetham and wife Beverley keep up a cheerful profile as election results filter in. Photo by Maurice Costello.”

The article “Beetham disappointed by showing” by Janine Rankin read:

“SOCIAL Credit leader Bruce Beetham was disappointed with his 775 votes in the Palmerston North race. He trailed well behind The Greens on 1252 which emerged as the major third party in the city.

Mr Beetham was the first to congratulate Labour candidate Steve Maharey on his victory, 281 votes ahead of National's Paul Sherriff.

Labour's 1987 majority of 3237 was slashed mainly by the third parties, as National's score of 7193 hardly changed since last time.

‘Mr Maharey seems sufficiently well ahead to hold it.’ Mr Beetham said ‘I think he's been lucky given the national trend, where I was correct in predicting Labour would be wiped out.’

Mr Beetham predicted Mr Maharey would have to work hard with so few colleagues in Parliament and thought he might expect fairly rapid promotion. He attributed the Palmerston North labour win at least in part to Mr Maharey's high local profile compared to Mr Sherriff who moved from Wellington to contest. the seat.

‘That's not to downgrade Mr Sherriff at all. This was the cleanest campaign I have ever been in.

Mr Beetham's wife Beverley kept the Social Credit banner waving in her husband’s former stronghold of Rangitikei, collecting 1668 votes or third place behind National on 8827 and Labour on 3238.”