Let’s end coat-tailing together: Labour

Labour is challenging the National-led government to support its Members’ Bill abolishing coat-tailing.

“Labour has consistently opposed MMP’s coat-tailing provision which means a party that gets just one seat but which polls under 5 per cent can bring other list MPs into Parliament,’’ says Labour Leader David Cunliffe.

“The Electoral Commission recommended the removal of this rule in 2012. Labour made a submission to this effect.

“We also have a Members’ Bill drawn from the ballot which would remove the coat-tailing provision and lower the party vote threshold from 5 per cent to 4 per cent.

“National refused to act on the Commission’s recommendations.

“The law as it stands is based on National’s rules and National must be accountable for them. It is no coincidence that these rules facilitate deals with that party’s potential coalition partners.

“Labour is challenging John Key’s government to support Iain Lees-Galloway’s Members’ Bill removing this provision.

“The incoming Labour-led government under my leadership would, within our first 100 days in office, initiate moves to repeal this part of the Electoral Act.

“National has supported a widely discredited electoral rule which skews the democratic process to its own political ends. The New Zealand public can see through that,’’ said David Cunliffe.

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