Right to remain silent

Some in the media are upset that incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his caucus are not talking publicly about coalition negotiations.

It’s the media’s role to ask questions and inform the public of the answers but that doesn’t mean everyone questioned has to give answers to every question on every topic.

Coalition negotiations are complex. They require a great deal of diplomacy and trust. Talking to the media about what’s being said would not help at all and could jeopardise discussions.

The right to remain silent applies to people accused of crimes, while coalition negotiations are proceeding it can also apply to politicians.

Once decisions are finalised the negotiating parties will be publicising decisions and talking to the media.

Until then, there’s nothing to be gained, and the potential for trust to be lost, if the MPs involved go public.