Alexander: NZ First declares itself poodle party
8 September 2005
Alexander: NZ First declares itself the poodle party
"Winston Peters finally made the decision not to make a decision about his post-election arrangements and basically committed political self-castration," said United Future MP Marc Alexander.
"The problem for Winston is that although he would probably prefer to join National, if they'd have him, much of his dwindling support comes from predominantly Labour supporters.
"He's caught between alienating either his principles or his support. That's why he's ended up promising supply and confidence to whoever gets the numbers without the possibility of advancing any of his extravagant policies at all!
"For Winston it's a perfect cop-out because while he runs around making promises he won't be able to keep, he'll be able to use the excuse of not being in government to deliver his pledges!
"A vote for Winston will simply allow him to swagger around Parliament for another three years doing nothing but playing with a disconnected red phone and blue phone.
"If he manages to hold Tauranga, he'll be the most expensive beneficiary we'll have. He'll be strutting about the debating chamber pulling out the splinters from his backside - fragments from the fence he's sitting on, leading the ragtag poodle party lapdogs!"
ENDS