Craig demands binding referenda
The Herald reports:
Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says he would not form a Government with National unless it agreed to introduce binding referenda.
Mr Craig confirmed the party’s bottom line for potential coalition talks at its annual meeting in Auckland this afternoon, attended by around 120 delegates.
In his keynote speech, he said: “We are not playing a mystery game. We are being upfront with the electorate.
“The thing that we want, that will be required if a party wants our support, is that they are going to need to agree to a change whereby that the people of this country have the right on those rare occasions … to tell the government where to go and what to do.”
One can try and lay down bottom lines but it isn’t that easy. What do you do if say the Conservatives hold the balance of power and National won’t agree to binding referenda. Presumably Labour won’t agree to them either, so Colin Craig them has three choices:
- Make John Key Prime Minister
- Make David Cunliffe Prime Minister
- Force a new election
It is unwise for any party to try and lay down bottom lines before an election. One should indicate priorities. But what you get in any negotiation will be a factor of how many seats in Parliament you get, and whether you are necessary or just desirable for forming a Government – and if you can credibly form a Government with the other major party.