Well the election is over and New Zealand has elected a right wing government. The Act party a more extreme right wing party gained five seats and will become the major coalition partner. The negotiations with Act will begin on Monday and a government would seem to be able to be formed with out undue delay. With five MPs it will be probable that Act will see its role as keeping National to the right and away from a centrist approach. With Sir Roger Douglas as one of the five Act MP’s there could be a fiery time ahead. Act will want to push their polices, all tending to the extreme right. They will be also be wanting to ensure they are seen to be effective in order to maintain the momentum they have gained and help establish the Act party as a force in the New Zealand political scene. I believe we need to respect the decision that the people of New Zealand have made but ensure that we do not let the government stray to the extreme right which would result in a “Bright new Future“ for only a limited sector of our community.
Key “Flip Flops” over the abolition of the Maori Seats
John Key has once again “Flip Floped” over his decision on the Maori Seats. At one time re-stating the long held National party policy of the abolition of the Maori Seats and now stating that for reasons of political expediency the seats would not be abolished. Is this on of the “dead fish” that would need to be swallowed?
The New Zealand Herald reported that
“He (John Key) had not previously said that, and has disagreed with Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples’ account of a private meeting at which Dr Sharples says Mr Key gave him an assurance the policy would be dropped if National needed the Maori Party’s support after the election.When he was asked about that during Tuesday night’s leaders debate on TV One, Mr Key said: “I’ve never given that assurance. There is no formal agreement. I’m sorry, but he’s got it wrong.”
The New Zealand people need to be wary and to take note of this indecisiveness and this tendency to “Flip Flop” (change the truth) when it is convenient to do so.
Many Supporters Now Disenchanted
One of the groups who were most supportive of the National parties bid for election are now “luke warm” or left cold after John Key spoke at the NZ Forum on the Family. Some of those present had worked arduously for months to get a referendum on the “the anti-smacking laws”. When John Key stated “If I can see compelling evidence that the legislation is not working, I will change it,” ……. “To this day I haven’t seen this evidence.” He left large numbers of people “gob smacked” and astounded with his statements, and this fall out has continued with those who were not present at the forum expressing their dismay and disbelief on “talk back” radio and in newspapers and on blogs.