Marc My Words…
From Marc Alexander MP. 10 October 2003
United Future NZ-Christchurch Supplement

Prime Minister Peter Dunne? Sounds good to me!

The idea of Peter Dunne being Prime Minister is worthy of serious consideration. While we have seen support for National and Labour ebb and flow with all the political dislocations that often ensue (changes in ACC, Employments Contract etc), the idea of a stable centre Party begins to look like an attractive proposition.

Labour is now midway into its second term and the front bench looks a lot less invincible than it did even a year ago. Despite there not being much of an Opposition, the Government is starting to look as if the air is leaking out of the whoopee cushion. Labour is beginning to look fragile. The PM, while still formidable, swings between ‘snippiness’ and arrogance. She appears to cling to her popularity as the barometer of her performance rather than good governance. And lately there have been troubles aplenty. The drive for the Supreme Court Bill, Prostitution Reform Act, Civil Union Bill and the like, all point to Clark attempting to push through her social legacy; the legacy of an ideological vision crafted in youthful exuberance, yet quaintly out of touch with present day realities. The next election will clearly be her last as she looks on to a possible career in the United Nations.

National are starting to look like a broken jigsaw. There is constant concern over leadership woes which hang like a grey cloud ready to burst at a moment’s notice. The best advice that could be given to Bill English is to replace the lacklustre Sowry with someone who would add credibility to the leadership. The National Party does have some good alternatives.

The real problem from a voter’s perspective is that if Labour wins investing a vote with National is a wasted vote, and vice versa. They will not and cannot work together. The same is true of ACT, New Zealand First and the Progressives (who?).

As for the Greens…apart from a certain section of quixotic, feet-planted in the air ideologues in the Labour Party, who would ever want to rely on them? Can you imagine a Labour Government at the beck and call of the deluded and deluding Green Party Caucus? Imagine the price that would be exacted! The anarchic-feminist Meteria Turei as Women’s Affairs Minister, the anti-business Rod Donald as Minister of Economic Development and the dope-smoking Nandor as Justice Minister!!!

The only Party that is committed to working with both sides of the house, curbing the extremism and buffoonery exhibited by the fringes, is Peter Dunne’s United Future. A vote for United Future will always be a vote for commonsense and influence. Given the above options, it isn’t too hard to imagine that most voters would vote for the sensible centre rather than play political roulette.

It would then be well within the realms of possibility to expect Peter Dunne to lead the single largest Party and become Prime Minister.

ENDS

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