Mr Peters' "constitutional convention" is a fiction

Winston Peters, who has only ever served in National-led governments including the last asset-selling National-NZ First coalition, should not dress-up his post-election position as a "constitutional convention" when it is no such thing, says Progressive leader Jim Anderton.

"The fact that NZ First is having to issue statement after statement clarifying the implications of its position is evidence enough that it is unclear, even to professional politicians.

"The reason it is confusing is because it claims to be based on some convention that no one has ever heard of because it doesn't exist.

"The only constitutional convention that the Governor-General is interested in is which leader, Helen Clark or Don Brash, is able to secure a Parliamentary majority on confidence and supply.

"The only thing that could possibly deliver Don Brash to the premiership is if NZ First emerges with enough party votes on Saturday to impose Don Brash as Prime Minister on an unenthusiastic electorate," the Progressive leader said.

Mr Peters issued his umpteenth statement today 'clarifying ' his party's unclear post-election position following last night's TVNZ poll showing National with 41% support.

If that poll were to be translated into an election night result, Mr Peters' statement indicates NZ First would try to install Don Brash as PM although the same poll suggests 59% of New Zealanders won't be supporting National.

ENDS

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