New Zealand First Post Election Position Offers Only Chance of Stability and Moderation in NZ Politics
The Rt Hon Winston Peters MP, Leader of New Zealand First, today said that rather than creating instability New Zealand
First’s decision to stay on the Cross Benches after the Election offered New Zealanders the only chance of government
stability and keeping politics in the centre of the political spectrum.
“An ability for a party to govern in their own right without being burdened by the extremist policies of those minor
parties currently propping them up must surely be an admirable objective for any party wishing to govern.
“National are portraying themselves as centre right and Labour are portraying themselves as centre left but how can that
be if they are being pulled to the left or right by extremist parties for which extremes there is little support?
“Stable government does not involve extremes – to the left or right. And having a party like New Zealand First – firmly
in the centre of the political spectrum keeping the Government honest – presents the greatest opportunity for moderation
in New Zealand Politics, overwhelming public support, and, thus, stability of government,” said Mr Peters.
Mr Peters said that while there was an appalling amount of misinformation about MMP being promoted by those who should
know better, he remained confident that the public would realise that those promoting scare tactics are the same people,
in the words of political scientist Barry Gustafson, who have shown an inability to move beyond an elected dictatorship
which was the First Past the Post System.
ENDS