Bill English National Deputy Leader

8 June 2001

Clark's attempt to piggy back laughable

National's Deputy Leader Bill English today extended his congratulations to Tony Blair for his decisive re-election as British Prime Minister.

"However I can not allow Helen Clark's risible attempt to piggy back on Mr Blair's victory to pass without comment.

"The situation between Britain and New Zealand is markedly different and Miss Clark's attempts to bathe in reflective glory are deceptive.

"Tony Blair campaigned on health and education. If New Zealand's Prime Minister attempted to emulate his campaign platforms she'd be mocked. Her Government has downgraded both sectors with insufficient funding in its recent Budget and 18 months of muddled thinking.

"Any intelligent observer could enumerate numerous and profound differences between the actions of the Blair Government in Britain and the Clark Government in New Zealand.

"Our Government has already decided on superannuation as an election issue. We're now keen for them to also adopt the troubled sectors of health and education as election issues," Bill English said.

Ends

© Scoop Media