The Mapp Report

www.waynemapp.co.nz

Path to policy platform for 2008

National has started their parliamentary year with an extremely strong, cohesive team. We are building a cohesive policy platform for the 2008 election.

Bill English spoke at a function in Takapuna last night and he made some insightful points. He mentioned the decade of dominance of John Howard’s government in Australia. In a recent meeting John Howard noted that the Liberals are not winning the state governments in Australia because they focus on criticising the Government rather than putting together a comprehensive policy platform. The National Party will not make the same mistake.

We have excellent leadership taking us into the 2008 election. Bill English and John Key blend exceptionally well together. They have similar outlooks on life, albeit drawn from quite different backgrounds. Being of the same generation has helped in shaping their similar views and level of harmony. They are providing the National Party with energy, purpose and drive. They are setting out the broad shape of what the National Party will look like when it is Government. The polls clearly show people in New Zealand acknowledge National as a new, dynamic Government for 2008.

It is very clear that to be Government we will need a complete policy agenda. We are now developing a full programme on social, political and economic issues which reflect our proposed Government framework. As Chair of the Caucus Policy Committee it is one of my jobs to help drive this process so that we are fully ready for 2008.

Smacking

Each year Parliament seems to have to deal with issues that affect the social fabric of our country. In 2004 it was prostitution, in 2005 it was Civil Unions, last year it was the drinking age, and now this year, smacking.

Members of Parliament usually decide these issues on the basis of conscience votes. But often parties regularly have a unified party view, particularly on the Left side of the House.

As a rule, Labour leans to the ‘liberal’ side, though there are members with conservative social views. National leans toward the conservative side, but there are some liberal MPs.

I have developed the practice of casting my vote on the basis of the views of the electorate. I do this by conducting random scientific polls and my vote reflects the results of those polls. I believe on these issues MPs have no more insight than any other person in the community. Each of us forms our views on the basis of life experience.

It now seems likely that the smacking bill will pass. Chester Borrows’ sensible compromise has been rejected by Green MP, Sue Bradford. In fact she has said she will withdraw her bill if Chester Borrows’ amendment (which would allow light smacking) passes. That is an arrogant and anti-democratic approach.

Yesterday a Citizens Initiated Referendum on the issue was announced. The promoters need to have the wording approved and then get 300,000 signatures within 12 months. That should not be too difficult on this issue, given the number of people who will help get the signatures.

That will mean a referendum at the 2008 election. The people will finally get to have a democratic vote on an issue that affects core parental responsibilities.

Events

Public Meeting

Small Businesses

February 26 2007

Channel View Lounge

3 Gibbons Road

7pm

$10. Light refreshments provided.

North Shore MP Wayne Mapp will be hosting a public meeting to discuss issues facing small businesses.

Northern AGM

March 5 2007

Milford Baptist Church

3 Dodson Avenue, Milford

7.30pm

John Key Cocktail Function

Guest Speaker National Party Leader John Key

March 17 2007

The Lake House

Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna

4 - 6pm

$50 per person (no door sales)

North Shore MP Wayne Mapp will be hosting a cocktail party with guest speaker National Party Leader John Key. This is sure to be an interesting social event and an opportunity to hear John Key's vision for the future. Send ticket payment to the National Party at PO Box 33017, Takapuna by March 10th. There will be no door sales.

Southern AGM

March 19 2007

Belmont Rose Centre

School Road, Belmont

7.30pm

Electorate AGM

March 26 2007

St Georges Presbyterian Church

2 The Terrace, Takapuna

7.30pm
23 February 2007

Dr Wayne Mapp

Visit my website for more information at: www.waynemapp.co.nz

ENDS

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