Politicians won’t but the people can

Bill English has referred to MMP  as working with people you don’t like to implement policies you don’t agree with.

That’s the reality of the system and while I would like John Key and National to rip into Winston Peters and say they won’t have him in a National-led government, I understand that they are holding back in case election results require them to work with him and New Zealand First.

If National doesn’t get a majority on election day, and even though the polls have been pointing to that possiblity it’s improbable, they’re going to need at least one colation partner. If they’re faced with the choice of dealing with Peters and his party or another three years in opposition they’re very unlikely to choose the latter.

Some people reckon parties should be quite clear about who they are prepared to work with before the election but as we saw in 2005 results can change intentions. Labour and the Greens made the most of photo opporutnities between their leaders during the campaign to promote a Labour Green coaltion. But when the Greens couldn’t deliver the numbers after the election Helen Clark had to turn her back on them and deal with New Zealand First and United Future.

That’s politics under MMP and that’s why Labour and National have to leave the door ever so slightly open for Peters.

But while the politicians won’t shut the door in his face the people can slam it. If Peters doesn’t win Tauranga and NZ First gets less than 5% of the party vote then neither he nor his party will be in the next parliament.

The make up of the next parliament and government isn’t up to politicians it’s up to voters.