Democrats Ready For Government
An optimistic mood is forecast for this weekend's New Zealand Democrats' Annual Conference.
"This year's General Election could well see Democrats helping to form the next government as part of a Labour/Alliance
coalition," says Party Leader John Wright MP.
"At no time in our forty-five year history, have we been so close to office. Nor have we ever been so well prepared for
playing our part in restoring sanity and balance to the way in which our country is run. These factors should make for
an exciting and memorable conference," he says.
Mr Wright adds that he and fellow MP, Grant Gillon, have gained considerable experience of the "pressure cooker" of
parliament, during their nearly three years as members of the Alliance caucus.
"As Democrats, we wish to restore democratic accountability and sovereignty to New Zealand in place of the corporate
dominance of the last fifteen years. We advocate a greater focus on helping small businesses and the rural sector as
well as a more co-operative ethos and more emphasis on developing New Zealand's resources for its own people's benefit.
"We have always been ground breakers in New Zealand politics. We were amongst the first to call for Nuclear Free status
for our country and were also amongst the first to champion MMP. We hope to continue our role as innovators in the next
government," says Mr Wright.
The New Zealand Democratic Party is one of the three parties making up the Alliance.
The Annual Conference will take place from Friday evening through to Sunday at the Auckland Institute of Technology's
Akoranga campus (see details below).
ENDS