It’s the first time either of the major parties has conducted what amounts to a phoney campaign and critics have branded the decision cynical and contemptuous.

It’s hard to find hardcore members of the Labor Party who are willing to go on the record with their disappointment. Bob Stephens came close.

A veteran of the party for some 42 years, Mr Stephens has been involved in some capacity in every campaign in that time, including as a candidate in the 1981 and 1984 state elections, and the 1985 federal election.

Responding to public criticisms of the non-appearance of the Labor candidate in the electorate for the length of the campaign, Mr Stephens conceded that it wasn’t the way the local branch of the Labor party had run any previous campaigns.

“It’s not an ideal situation,” he said.

“It’s very different from the recent federal election where we were also facing an uphill battle, because in that election we had several people wanting to stand, and Robin [Saville] was selected and went on to fight a great campaign.

“This time there was no-one willing to stand. The branch took its time and waited but couldn’t find a local candidate.

“Eventually they took the position that a number of people were concerned at having no local candidate and it was a bit “damned if they did, damned if they didn’t”.

In the end they felt there needed to be a Labor presence for those who wanted to vote that way and I’m very pleased Crystal [Validakis] has provided people with that opportunity.”

The nomination of Sydney University student Crystal Validakis faced initial criticism for its lateness and that she would be “parachuted” into the electorate, but earned even greater criticism when it became apparent she wouldn’t be in the electorate at any stage of the campaign.

Mr Stephens said he was not at all critical of Crystal, but was instead critical of people who criticise her for putting her name forward.

“Good on her for having a go when no-one else would put their hand up,” he said.

“We haven’t held the seat since 1965 and to put your hand up in the present circumstances is pretty brave. And I think Kristina Kenneally has also been very brave and done an exceptional job as leader.

“But speaking just for myself, although I probably speak for a number of Labor voters, I’m not entirely happy with the situation. I think some things have been overlooked and should have been done differently, and I think Sussex Street may be taking their counsel from some inexperienced people, but I’m realistic about our chances of winning and at least we live to fight another day.”

While he wasn’t ready to say he was disappointed with the party presenting a phoney campaign, Mr Stephens did agree that the party had itself to blame for much of its current situation.

“Government is cyclical,” he said.

“We’ve been in for four terms and we’ve made some mistakes along the way and now we’re paying for it.

“It will take a massive job to rebuild our resources before we can mount a credible challenge but we need to do that and the state will need us to do that soon.”