The Green’s Conference
Adam Bennett in the NZ Herald reports:
The lack of Auckland representation at the top of its party list, along with a controversial proposal to allow a post-election coalition with the National Party, look set to dominate discussions at the Green Party’s AGM this weekend.
The Greens, New Zealand’s third largest political party, meet at Point Chevalier’s Te Mahurehure marae days after finalising its party list for the November election which features just one Auckland-based candidate – David Clendon – among its top 10. …
The Greens’ North Shore candidate Pieter Watson, who is himself well down the list, said there was some frustration evident among Auckland members at the party list’s southern flavour given that more than half the nation’s population was in Auckland.
Umm, a third, not a half. But what is the composition of the top ten:
- South Island – 50%
- Wellington – 30%
- Auckland – 10%
- Other NI – 10%
In their search for gender, age, racial and sexual orientation diversity, they seem to have overlooked geographic diversity. Only 20% of the MPs come from North of Wellington even though that is where 70% of the population is.
But a more difficult pill for many members to swallow is the proposal to open the door to a potential confidence and supply agreement with National, a possibility the Greens have clearly ruled out in the lead up to previous elections.
Even if the remit is passed, it will likely be a largely symbolic move intended to position the Greens further into the political mainstream, in the minds of voters at least.
Co-leader Russel Norman has already said that even if the remit is passed, a coalition with National is extremely unlikely.
Dr Norman expects a lively debate on the issue given indications that some party members found the prospect extremely unsavoury, while others wanted to “moderate” the remit to suggest such an arrangement is more possible than the words “extremely unlikely” would suggest.
Passing the remit means they get some negotiating clout with Labour. Otherwise Labour take them for granted and crap on them in order to gain favour with their preferred coalition partner of Winston – as happened during 1999 – 2008.
If the Greens ever have a choice of a Labour-led Government or National-led Government, then they will choose Labour.
But is it possible that in the event of a Labour-led Government not being viable, you could have an agreement with National to abstain on supply and confidence in return for some significant policy gains and/or a Ministerial portfolio? Unlikely, but possible.