Craig McCulloch
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key has reminded National it needs to find potential coalition partners for next year’s election.
He has suggested that New Zealand First may not be one of them, saying its leader Winston Peters had shown his colours.
Sir John is among those gathered at the Opposition Party’s Annual Conference at Christchurch Town Hall this weekend where Party members are meeting to take stock, discuss policy and scratch out tactics for 2020.
The Challenge
Speaking to RNZ, Sir John acknowledged that National faced a “Challenge” in ensuring it had Coalition Partners, as the MMP electoral system made it difficult for any individual party to have absolute control.
But he said that National had to “continue to work” on finding new friends.
“There are a lot of opportunities out there for either potential parties or for other partners to grow and strengthen. We know the Parties that won’t work with us. It’s a matter of finding some that will.”
Sir John said starting a new Party could be difficult, but he believed that voters would be more open toward “deals” or new parties being started given the outcome of the 2017 election.
Changing Game
“The rules of the game changed a little bit when New Zealanders realised that Winston Peters effectively allowed the second place party to become the government.”
In 2011, Sir John famously ruled out working with New Zealand First after that election.
Asked whether Mr Bridges should do the same, Sir John said that was “a matter now for the leadership.”
But he suggested Mr Peters would be an unlikely partner for National.
“We saw Winston’s colours on election night in 2017. The reality was that the majority of New Zealanders (44%) voted for a National-led government and they didn’t get one.”
Sir John endorsed Mr Bridges’ Opening Speech which included the repeated slogan: “Our bottom line is you.”
“Opposition is always a difficult place, but they have come to the Conference with the right messages. Ultimately, personalising politics is a very important thing to do.
“Always a lot is made about the popularity or otherwise of the leader, but the reality is people vote very much on the big issues – the economy, law and order, health and education.”
Craig McCulloch is Deputy Political Editor at Radio New Zealand. She attend the two-day Annual Conference of the National Party held at the Town Hall in Christchurch on July 27 and July 28, 2019. The above Report and Picture have been published under a Special Arrangement with www.rnz.co.nz. Read related reports on our website www.indiannewslink.co.nz
Photo Caption:
John Key says Winston Peters is an unlikely Partner for National. (Photo for RNZ by Dan Cook)
