Prime Minister running scared on smacking referendum

Independent MP and Kiwi Party candidate Gordon Copeland says that Prime Minister Helen Clark is running scared of a referendum on the anti-smacking law.

“On many occasions the Prime Minister has made it clear that it is she, not her officials, who makes the tough calls on the tough issues,” said Mr Copeland. “Yet, when Larry Baldock, leader of The Kiwi Party, Sheryl Savill and 390,000 others exercise their legal right to a referendum against the wishes of Helen Clark, she chooses to follow the advice of unelected bureaucrats!”

“Delaying the referendum until 2009 is unacceptable. Where there is a will, there is a way but it is clear that the Prime Minister’s approach is ‘A referendum at the time of the General Elections later this year is against my will so no-way!’”

“The will of one must not, in a democracy, be allowed to thwart the will of so many. This is truly an example of ‘Absolute Power’. It is without excuse.”

“Time is up Prime Minister. The voice of the people must prevail and it will!”

ENDS

© Scoop Media