Japan PM resigns over broken promise - why not Key?
“The Japanese Prime Minister has just resigned over a broken pre-election campaign promise. But clearly breaking
promises is a qualification for government in John Key’s world,” says Jim Anderton MP for Wigram and Progressive Party
leader.
“Perhaps John Key is confusing the work ethics that drive the shady world of international speculation, with the moral
demands of being in government.
“If you’re Prime Minister you say what you mean and keep your promises. That’s part of the job. If you’re not up to
that, you resign. If it’s good enough for the Japanese Prime Minister, why not Mr Key?”
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama resigned yesterday after eight months in office after a broken campaign promise
made before he was elected, to move a United States Marine base off the southern island of Okinawa.
“John Key has broken his promise not to sell Kiwibank ‘at any time in the future’ - ever. He’s now done a U-turn and
says the promise not to sell - ever - is only good for the first term of his government.
“That means Kiwibank is only safe for another 12-18 months. Then the ‘for sale’ sign goes up.”
“John Key made a pledge to resign if he broke his promise not to touch superannuation.”
“When is a John Key promise not a promise? When it’s a promise not to put up GST or sell Kiwibank. This is the kind of
political cynicism which has changed governments and electoral systems in New Zealand and will do so again.
“John Key should give New Zealanders a list of all the promises he’s made. Tell people now which ones he intends to
keep, and which promises he intends to break,” says Jim Anderton.
ENDS