If National wins ...

[craic]

The lead article in the Herald when I switched on today was a vitriolic attack on all the National leaders attributed to Winston Peters and if he was to go with National after that performance, he's a very sick man. I honestly think he sees Labour as weak and disjointed and capable of being manipulated in any way he sees fit. The Greens can be ignored even if Labour wants to take them along.

[blackcap]

Good points - if enough moderately thinking people would join the Greenies, than maybe we could steer the party into a direction most of their voters want to see them go. Brush the left whinging party establishment out of the door and lets turn the Green Party back towards its core values ...

BC, I might join you - sounds like fun!

Yeah do, and I mean that not in a destabilising way either. There is a place for a green party in NZ politics. I do care about the environment, but am pragmatic when it comes to fiscal issues. I seriously think the "brand green" has been hijacked from where it was with Jeanette and co who were primarily about keeping NZ green. I go tramping and love the outdoors. But Meteria, and the rest of the clowns in there now (I hope I do not get moderated for that comment) are not green. They are there to parasitically live off the name "green"

[winner69]

Sorry folks, but WP is not going with National.

If Nats seduce the Greens and the Greens sell their souls (without Shaw then Winnie doesn't even come into the equation

I can't see Nats /NZF coalition - more diasterous than Labour led government

I sense another election next year

[iceman]

If Nats seduce the Greens and the Greens sell their souls (without Shaw then Winnie doesn't even come into the equation

I can't see Nats /NZF coalition - more diasterous than Labour led government

I sense another election next year

I think that is quite likely, whichever way Winnie goes. That would destroy NZF for good.

[jonu]

A sweetheart deal for Shane Jones in Northland ala Epsom could be the deal maker. It would set up NZF post Winston

[BlackPeter]

I think that is quite likely, whichever way Winnie goes. That would destroy NZF for good.

If that (another election next year) is the price - let's do that

[Sgt Pepper]

Sorry folks, but WP is not going with National.

You could well be right Craic. Interesting article by former National Cabinet Minister Wayne Mapp this morning in the Herald. It was remarkably non partisan. Her revisited the divisive debate amongst National Caucus members in 1996, many against any deal with WP, even if it meant being in opposition. He believes that this set up Helen Clark for her three year tenure. His conclusion is that Jacinda Adrern would be wise to walk away

[Jay]

If WP retires at the next election, will there still be a party without him, they might think so, but will many who voted NZF dessert it once he has gone.
Secondly will Epsom voters get sick of ACT and go back to National, though this doesn't make a lot of difference with MMP as they are getting the party vote in any case, it is just one more seat for them and but can help the numbers if a different party that will on general side with them.

Still can't see him go to a three way, National or cross benches I think

[elZorro]

Sorry folks, but WP is not going with National.

I think that's a likely event, Craic. The Nats can start the gnashing of teeth now, get it over with. Winston's policies, and even his campaign slogan, imply he was seeking the "Not National" vote. He also has remarkably similar policies to Labour's, and it's National he aimed his ire at, during the campaign. Labour even has blood ties on their side.

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/electi...ces-clear.html

[jonu]

I think that's a likely event, Craic. The Nats can start the gnashing of teeth now, get it over with. Winston's policies, and even his campaign slogan, imply he was seeking the "Not National" vote. He also has remarkably similar policies to Labour's, and it's National he aimed his ire at, during the campaign. Labour even has blood ties on their side.

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/electi...ces-clear.html

Don't do this to yourself EL Z. The media, after 24 hours of saying it's a Nats certainty, are filling up column inches with every conceivable angle they can think of. Of course Peters would rail against the Nats pre-election. He was in opposition!

This is Winston's legacy moment. I reckon he'll demand an Epsom type deal for Shane Jones in Northland to ensure NZ First survives his retirement. Winston is by nature a moral conservative, the only like mind in Labour or the Greens would be Damien O'connor. You won't find him snuggling up to Labour and the Greens any time soon.