HoS on National

The Herald on Sunday editorial looks at potential partners for National.

Behind the scenes, Bill English and Tariana Turia are forging close ties that could pay off handsomely for both parties, come election time.

There is more chance of a moa sighting than there is of a National-Greens alliance, but United Future leader Peter Dunne could not have made it any clearer last week that he is itching to break free of Labour’s chains (or hitch a ride with a winning ticket, you take your pick).

Act is National’s natural partner in all respects but for one major sticking point: unless Rodney Hide pulls off another quickstep miracle, as he did at the last election, Act might not, and probably does not deserve to, exist. The most likely case for Act’s continuing existence is if it returns to politicking or if it makes a deal with National for Epsom. Key and Hide would no doubt prefer the former.

Where does NZ First stand? We’re not sure whether even the great chameleon Winston Peters knows. Whatever way you cut it, there is no way Key and company want to rely on NZ First to form a government.

The HoS is correct that any plan which involves relying on Winston is a dangerous plan. I don’t think they are right when it comes to ACT needing a miracle to stay in Parliament. I’ve heard nothing to suggest that Rodney Hide isn’t working hard as the local MP for Epsom, and like Jim Anderton and Peter Dunne expect he will keep his seat regardless of how his party does. It does depend of course on who National stands, and events of the next year.