30 August 2005

Pick a horse, Winston

Green Co-Leader Rod Donald says Winston Peters should stop playing games with the New Zealand public and declare once and for all which major party he wants to lead the next government.

"Winston obviously intends to put his finger in the wind every day of this campaign and decide which party it would be most advantageous for him to support," Mr Donald said. "If National's tax cut bribe proves popular, he'll back the Brash horse. If it crashes and burns, he'll go with Clark. This constant game of electoral jockeying is insulting to New Zealanders' intelligence. "

"This afternoon's speech in Christchurch is an attempt by Winston to send signals to voters that he is a viable coalition option for Labour. Of course, nothing could be further from the case.

"Winston is refusing to guarantee where he will use the party votes people gamble on him at the election. His constant prevaricating is one reason why NZ First support is sliding. Voters understand that Winston will back whichever horse gives him the best ride rather than doing what's right for the country.

"We should never forget that Winston would have no shame in switching horses midcourse. After all, that's what he did in 1996. He simply can't be trusted.

"Thankfully, Labour will be able to govern without Winston's support. On current polling, the Labour-Green team could form a government in our own right."

ENDS

© Scoop Media