Imagine you are a new Labour MP

It has been said many times that the Electoral Finance Bill is a bill for one election only – 2008.  It’s a desperate attempt by Helen Clark to retain power with the polls against her.

Let’s imagine what may happen if the EFB is passed, and National still wins in 2008.  What will life be like for new young Labour MPs?

• They won’t be able to organise protest marches unless they get everyone to sign statutory declarations
• The National Government could pass all the legislation it likes in 2011, and lobby groups will be severely restricted with their ability to campaign against it.
• National Electorate MPs will be almost impossible to defeat as they can outspend their challengers by 4:1
• The 2011 budget could have a $15 million advertising campaign to promote it, which will be automatically excluded from campaign limits.

This law so advantages the incumbents, that it could damn Labour once in Opposition to a long wait for re-election.

Luckily for them, John Key has again today pledged to scrap it in Government, despite the huge advantage it would give him.