Herald wrong

The Herald editorial:

The Act Party has taken a desperate step by declaring at this early stage that it will give National another confidence and supply agreement after the election. This is the first time the party has committed itself to such an agreement before the ballot rather than waiting to see what it might do with the votes it receives. It is a decision Act will not have taken lightly.

It weakens the party’s ability to bargain for any particular policies or cabinet positions after the election, as leader Don Brash concedes. The decision was made, he says, to give voters an assurance of stability. Act wants to give them no reason to fear it would cause any complications for National in a second term.

First of all, the editorial is wrong on a salient fact. In 2008 ACT did pledge supply and confidence to National prior to the election. It was done by Rodney Hide after the cup of coffee with John Key.

I don’t think it weakens their bargaining ability significantly. It was unthinkable that ACT would support a Labour-led Government (well one with its current policies anyway) or cause a new election.

ACT’s bargaining power will come down to how many seats they get, and whether National needs extra votes to pass laws or procedural motions.

Also Key has made it quite clear he will offer confidence and supply agreements with ministerial posts to ACT, United Future and Maori Party, even if he does not need their votes. And also a co-operation agreement again with the Greens.