Ministerial Post for Act an Insult to Democracy

If Prime Minister John Key appoints ACT’s sole MP to a ministerial role he is demonstrating his total disdain for democracy and MMP.

“Mr Key has just been telling New Zealanders his government will not become arrogant with power, yet he is considering giving new ACT MP David Seymour a ministerial portfolio.

“If he is not considering this, he should come out and say it. But he is suggesting that the government needs to support the ACT MP and give the party more resources. Surely it is not for taxpayers to provide for ACT, or is Mr Key trying to shore them up for the 2017 election.

“National has long had disdain for the MMP system and refused to get rid of the coat-tailing provision as recommended by the Electoral Commission.

“They have treated both Epsom and Ohariu voters with disrespect, so they can rely on both United Future and ACT for a coalition government.

“Most voters must surely have a dismal view of how National talked up the ACT candidate in Epsom, and not their own, just so they had a political partner. This is a party that could barely muster 0.7 per cent of the vote.

“It is a ludicrous enough situation that we must accept that they have a seat in the House, but New Zealanders should not have to accept that they are given a ministerial post purely to give them more resources.”

ENDS

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