If National wins ...

[elZorro]

Laila Harré: why the left must seize this moment

"The only real question for NZ First is whether they can be convinced of the coherence of a government with Labour and the Greens, because it is there that they will certainly have the greatest opportunity to effect change. In such a government, identifying legacy projects will not be restricted to what seems possible in the pressure-cooker of the next few weeks’ negotiation. The option here is for a government that knows the deep challenges it must tackle and takes the time it needs to do so."

That's so correct. I hope for the sake of NZ that Winston makes the statesmanlike choice.

[777]

That's so correct. I hope for the sake of NZ that Winston makes the statesmanlike choice.

He wants three years not three months.

[fungus pudding]

That's so correct. I hope for the sake of NZ that Winston makes the statesmanlike choice.

We all know his choice will be based on baubles so you can relax eZ. Your lot will almost certainly outbid National. Winston already knows it.

[Raz]

Why do we have here the tone it is getting out of hand now. If that is the argument, it should have gone when the one man parties of Act and United Future held the balance of power....this all smells of unnerved desperate people wanting their party in....

[Baa_Baa]

Laila Harré: why the left must seize this moment

"The only real question for NZ First is whether they can be convinced of the coherence of a government with Labour and the Greens, because it is there that they will certainly have the greatest opportunity to effect change. In such a government, identifying legacy projects will not be restricted to what seems possible in the pressure-cooker of the next few weeks’ negotiation. The option here is for a government that knows the deep challenges it must tackle and takes the time it needs to do so."

You think Winston gives a toss what Laila Harre thinks, let alone the populous?

Post this stuff JT and you're not climbing out of the hole you dug for yourself during the election, get something credible and begin rebuilding reputation.

[fungus pudding]

Why do we have here the tone it is getting out of hand now. If that is the argument, it should have gone when the one man parties of Act and United Future held the balance of power....this all smells of unnerved desperate people wanting their party in....

Act have always had a stated position. United Future were never in the position to use their power. Winston has, and performed true to his track record - unable to work with anyone. Has won and lost 3 electorate seats. Been thrown out of the National party. Been thrown out of a coalition. Destroyed reputations under the protection of the house. He's a belligerent cantankerous narcissist who just happens to be in the position to decide who will govern the country all by himself, because he won't give two hoots about whatever the rest of his party thinks. It's an unbelievable situation where he will hold Labour - Greens to ransom while he screws them and the voters to death.

[Baa_Baa]

Why do we have here the tone it is getting out of hand now. If that is the argument, it should have gone when the one man parties of Act and United Future held the balance of power....this all smells of unnerved desperate people wanting their party in....

ACT and United Future in the last election never really 'held' the balance of power, it was lop sided, they could choose National to side with or be consigned to back bench oblivion. Same for the Maori party. The concessions they won in the 51st term of parliament were modest by any measure.

Now they're all gone, Dunne by self inflicted bazooka to the foot and ACT by having slagged the National party beyond redemption, and the Maori by obscurity and perception of misplaced alliances.

ACT were the only party to get a seat this time, but they've squandered that opportunity to be in government by previously being an uppity prick.

So Winston and his party have the balance of power this time, the 52nd parliament. It's a far cry from the previous situation. It shows that MMP is broken, that a party with 7.5% of the popular vote gets to choose, by itself, the major party that will lead the next government.

[Joshuatree]

You think Winston gives a toss what Laila Harre thinks, let alone the populous?

Post this stuff JT and you're not climbing out of the hole you dug for yourself during the election, get something credible and begin rebuilding reputation.

HOLE !?;i wouldn't go there if i was you

[fungus pudding]

Winston will decide on the basis of what is good for the country, he says. That's the arrogant Winnie in full flight. Never mind that 47.5% of the country voted for one side, and 42% voted for the other. No - Winston will decide what Winston thinks is good for the country, which is Winston talk for what is best for me!

[elZorro]

Winston will decide on the basis of what is good for the country, he says. That's the arrogant Winnie in full flight. Never mind that 47.5% of the country voted for one side, and 42% voted for the other. No - Winston will decide what Winston thinks is good for the country, which is Winston talk for what is best for me!

No, FP, you don't have it right. Of those who voted, 47.5% on the first count voted for National. But all those who enrolled and advance voted at the same time haven't been added in yet. Plus the overseas, postal and various disability votes, another 15% added to the total.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11925871

There were also a lot who didn't vote at all, and you can assume that on average they're not doing so well under the current government.

Here are the approximate full numbers that voted.

http://www.elections.org.nz/news-med...neral-election

Since 78.8% of those who were eligible voted, there were about 690,000 NZers who abstained. Not quite the missing million this time.