A Labour MP defies Goff

Adam Gifford of Waatea News reports:

Another of Labour’s Maori MPs has broken ranks with leader Phil Goff over working with former Maori Party MP Hone harawira.

Mr Goff ruled out including the Tai Tokerau MP in his post-election planning because he says he was extreme and unreliable.

But Waikato-Hauraki MP Nanaia Mahuta says Mr Harawira has taken similar positions to Labour on issues such as the 90-day bill, raising the minimum wage, and greater protection for employee rights.

“But the real proof is what happens after election 2011 and I’ve been in politics long enough to know that the wind blows both ways and you can’t rule anyone in and out before that day. That’s the day that matters,” she says.

This is an absolute shot over Goff’s bows. One of his own MPs is saying that you can’t rule anyone out before the election, and makes it quite clear she wants to work with Hone.

When John Key ruled Winston out, his caucus broke into celebration and sacrificed a few goats to various deities, so pleased they were at being spared the horror of trying to govern with Winston.

Goff ruling out Hone has not sone as well. MPs have leaked to the media that Goff made the decision unilaterally, and even broke his own caucus’ policy. And now one of his Maori MPs has openly defied him and said Hone should not be ruled out.