Greens try to cuddle up to National

The Herald reports:

Internet Party leader Laila Harre has criticised the Greens for talking about the possibility of a co-operation deal with a National Government just eight days from the election – a proposal that National has slapped down and exploited.

“I think it is seriously mis-timed,” Ms Harre told the Weekend Herald.

She said it was crucial that progressive parties focused on mobilising turnout to change the government and the amount of early voting so far signalled the potential for a significant increase.

“I think the Greens’ statement is unfortunate. It risks demoralising those who are confident and hold hope that the progressive parties are focused on a change of government,” Ms Harre said.

In the event that National managed to put together a government after September 20, it would be one that was extremely vulnerable, with John Key’s leadership an issue in the aftermath of the Dirty Politics revelations.

“All of that makes it even more important that the progressive parties that want to change the Government are entirely focused on that outcome.

“It is not the time for any of those parties to be forming relationships of any nature with the National Party.”

Laila is unhappy with her comrades. Bad Greens.

However, Prime Minister John Key had ruled it out by the afternoon and exploited the appearance of a rift between the Greens and Labour for all it was worth.

“They’ve given up hope on Labour,” he told reporters in Northland.

“The Greens have made their own way with Labour.

“The fact that the ship is taking on so much water is really a problem for the two of them to think about.”

The big problem for Labour leader David Cunliffe was that the only partner he had basically got “is saying ‘man overboard’,” the PM said

If they don’t make it this time, the Greens face 18 years of not being in Government. Also they will then have Internet Mana in Parliament with greater resources and directly competing for votes with them..