Peter Dunne: Leader's Letter 15 August 2007

The release this week of United new logo and our discussion paper, "Made in New Zealand: Kiwi Parents" have been described as a subtle makeover of the party. While that is true to a limited extent, it is worth remembering that ultimately parties are noted for what they stand for, rather than their appearance and style. Image counts for a certain amount, but, as others are discovering, when the crunch comes, it is no substitute for policy.

United is currently focused on reasserting its role in a political environment where the obsession with the slanging match between the two old parties is making it more and more difficult for the MMP parties to be heard. As "Made in New Zealand: Kiwi Parents" confirms, we are the party with the credible track record on issues relating to parents and families, and are their genuine representatives in Parliament.

It is worth remembering that it is not that long ago that "family" was almost a dirty word in New Zealand politics. As recently as 2002 no-one dared mention it for fear of causing offence, yet everyone came from and was part of a family that was precious to them.

Since United took the lid off the family debate in 2002, a couple of things have happened. First, the old parties have literally fallen over themselves trying to parade their family credentials and develop family friendly policies. That is good, and we welcome the mainstreaming of the family debate. But secondly, which is not so good, extremist groups have tried to highjack the debate by focusing on their view only of family. August 15, 2007 No. 12 All that risks doing is scaring good, decent families away from the issue, lest they be seen as caught up in some fundamentalist inspired morals campaign.

So, it is time for United to restore a sense of balance to the debate, through some of our legendary common sense. And that is what "Made in New Zealand: Kiwi Parents" is all about.

It takes a comprehensive approach to all the issues facing parents and families today – from home ownership, to tax pressures, relationship development, work-life balance, parenting skills, health and education – and offers practical proposals in each area.

It recognises that parents and families come in many shapes and sizes, and that the government's role is to assist them meet their daily challenges, not prescribe a one size fits all model as the only acceptable solution. But as a modern centre party United also knows its place. Our role is not to preach at people, but to promote our ideas, and then listen to what people have to say, and be prepared to adjust accordingly.

That is what will now happen with "Made in New Zealand: Kiwi Parents". The document can be downloaded from our website, www.unitedfuture.org.nz and the special feedback form filled and sent to us.

"Made in New Zealand: Kiwi Parents" is arguably the most comprehensive political statement on parents and families in recent years, and we are looking forward to the response it receives. My call to ban dangerous dog breeds in the wake of more recent dog attacks on children has drawn a strong and predictable reaction. I was heartened by a New Zealand Herald poll showing 93% support for my call, and welcomed the Prime Minister's comments on the need for more protections as well. I will be meeting her shortly to discuss what the next steps might be. For me the bottom line is simple. Any dog attack on a child is an attack too many.

When the MMP parties all signed up to a voluntary code of conduct a few weeks ago, there were the predictable sneers and guffaws from the two old parties that they did not need such a code to tell them how to behave in public.

Well, the way both have carried on in recent weeks with this nonsense of dragging up embarrassing quotes from each other from years back shows why the last thing they wanted was a code of conduct (it might have civilised them after all) and how out of touch they are with public sentiment. The public do not like what is going on at present. They see it as neither clever nor funny, but simply pathetic, and they are right. Spring’s almost here....

Best wishes

Peter Dunne

ENDS

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