Double standard from PM on democracy

The Kiwi Party
Press Release
27 July, 2010

The Prime Minister John Key complained at the Local Government conference that only 44% of voters participate in local body elections and that more should be done to create a better democracy.

"I wholeheartedly agree with the PM and his leadership on this matter would be an honourable pursuit indeed, that would have the full support of the Kiwi Party," said Larry Baldock.

“It is however not surprising that a growing number of Kiwis feel their democracy is not worth participating in because they believe their elected representatives do not listen to the people, and herein lies the problem for the PM.

“He has contributed to this deepening malaise by his response to the only democratic event since he became Prime Minister. This was a referendum on the ill-conceived anti-smacking law in which over 56% of voters participated that sent an overwhelming message that they wanted the unjust, undemocratic and unnecessary law changed, but Mr. Key failed to serve the voters of New Zealand and ignored their democratically expressed view.

Is this not a case of double standards Mr. Key?

In addition, the Super City has now been forced on the residents of Auckland with extensive boundaries that have ignored well-supported petitions from irate residents, like those of the Rodney district for example, and now the PM calls for the strengthening of our democracy.
Mr Baldock said, “Strong democracies are those that devolve decision making as often as possible to its citizens, not where our representatives think they always know better than the people.”

“Mr Key said he would be personally advocating 'very strongly' for people to vote in the October elections, but he needs to understand that it will take more than that to undue the damage he and his Government have done to the foundations of our Democracy,” said the Kiwi Party leader.

"It is our policy to combine local body elections with voting on referenda on significant and controversial issues because we believe that could help revitalise interest our democracy," he said. 

For full details view Kiwi Party Referenda policy

Ends

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