After weeks of intense campaigning following the end of the Rugby World Cup, New Zealand went to the polls on November 26, 2011 and re-elected Prime Minister John Key and gave his National Party a massive mandate.
The prediction of the pollsters delivered the ultimate outcome and the Labour Party received a brutal blow from the Greens and New Zealand First. As they sucked in the Labour Party voters, the National Party delivered the most decisive result.
The National Party received 48% of the votes, trailed by Labour (27%) Greens (10.6%) New Zealand First (6.8%), Maori Party (1.4%), Act (1.1%), Mana (1%) and United Future (0.6%).
Mr Key was magnanimous in paying tribute to Labour Leader Phil Goff.
“Mr Goff is a generous and hardworking Parliamentarian who always had New Zealand’s best interest at heart,” Mr Key said.
Mr Goff was expected to step down at press time as the Leader of his Party, setting in a period of instability for Labour, until it finds a suitable successor.
Election 2011 brought smiles and tears.
The ACT Party sent John Banks to Parliament but did miserably at the polls, leading to swift resignation of Dr Don Brash as its Leader.
The Maori Party returned only three candidates, while the Mana Party, formed early this year, saw its Leader Hone Harawira elected. United Future Leader Peter Dunne retained his seat in Ohariu.
The Greens maintained their broad and consistent platform and were judged by the people as a Party that has remained true to its ideologies.
However, the same cannot be said of New Zealand First that owes its resurrection to its mercurial leader, Winston Peters.
Participative Democracy
According to many, the decisive victory of the National Party augured well for a strong and stable Government. While it has sufficient numbers to rule on its own, Mr Key would not extinguish the spirit of Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system.
He has indicated that he would approach other parties to provide them some form of accommodation with an arrangement to enhance participative democracy.
Mr Banks and Mr Dunne have already given their allegiance to Mr Key.
The Maori Party is expected to continue its good working relationship with the National-led Government. Its leaders believe that the Party can serve its people better by being in Government than in opposition.
A weak opposition
The opposition would comprise Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens.
Mr Key has consistently refused to any deal with New Zealand First, leaving it no option but to remain glued to the opposition benches.
Indeed, after absence of three years, Parliament is expected to reignite with Mr Peter’s antics that, in the past, varied in content from perplexing revelations to consummate display of political wiliness.
With National and its allies in control in the new House, he may not have the opportunity to run amok as in the past.
Some equated him to a bull in a china shop.
According to some analysts, it was good that Labour could not have formed a Government with the support of smaller parties.
Such composition always produces a weak government, as the proverbial aphorism, ‘tail wagging the dog,’ comes into play.
New Zealand cannot afford to have a weak Government, since the current worldwide economic downturn will require measures that may not be popular with people. This global threat cannot be ignored; it must in fact be confronted with vision and courage.
Mr Key has thus far shown that he has the fiber and skills to steer the Nation through perilous waters.
MMP ticked
Apart from electing their leaders, voters have given thumbs up for the retention of the MMP system. It has strengths the potential to produce weak and fractious governments, as the smaller parties wield disproportionate power.
The essence of majority rule is in a way defeated as the voice of the smaller parties gains dominance. It promotes politics of opportunism to come to the fore with its attendant failings. However, public verdict on MMP is not binding on Parliament and it may be revisited, closer to elections in 2014.
New Zealand has a proud record of a robust democracy.
Leadership challenges have not left the floor soaked in blood.
It is the envy of Australia that has witnessed monumental battles for leadership, such as the one currently being waged between Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, respectively the current and former Prime Ministers.
Loyalty is no longer a virtue among the elected representatives, as political opportunism takes priority.
Mr Key is not under any such threat but Labour cannot escape intense leadership scrutiny, as replacement of Mr Goff was imminent as this edition went to printers.
As the Leader, he accepted responsibility for the loss but his service to the Nation cannot be obscured. He served with absolute honesty and integrity and he needs to be treated with respect and dignity, which he rightly deserves.
Rajendra Prasad is author of Tears in Paradise: Suffering and Struggles of Indians in Fiji 1879-2004. Website: www.tearsinparadise.co.nz
