Media statement

For immediate release

Thursday, 19 June 2003

Poll punctures Prebble's punditry

Last night's TV3-NFO political poll has finally laid to rest any claim ACT leader Richard Prebble may have had to understanding New Zealand politics, according to United Future leader, Peter Dunne.

"In recent weeks, Mr Prebble has pontificated pompously on the shape of future Parliaments, casually dismissing United Future's chances of being in the next Parliament and loftily speculating on a 'grand coalition' of the centre-right parties forming the next government," he said.

"The whole house of cards has now collapsed.

"The other centre-right parties, National and New Zealand First, instantly poured scorn on the idea of a coalition, which left Mr Prebble looking rather foolish.

"The TV3 poll shows that if an election were held now, Labour would be able to govern in its own right, United Future would have four seats and ACT would have none - in other words, every one of Mr Prebble's predictions is totally wrong," said Mr Dunne.

"The pollsters say ACT could have seats in the House if ACT could win an electorate seat. However, Mr Prebble is more experienced than most at losing, rather than winning, electorate seats, so that possibility is extremely remote.

"The political point that Mr Prebble consistently misses is that the New Zealand voters have constantly rejected his policies of demonising beneficiaries and Maoris.

"New Zealanders prefer inclusive politics, not doctrines that split and divide and set Kiwis against one another. When ACT understands that, United Future will welcome them into our ranks as we seek to build a society that benefits all New Zealand families," concluded Mr Dunne.

ends

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