11 November 1999

Press Statement

CULLEN DISPLAYING SAME OLD FIRST PAST THE POST ARROGANCE – SO WHAT’S CHANGED?

The Rt Hon Winston Peters MP, Leader of New Zealand First, today said that the arrogance displayed by Dr Michael Cullen against Jim Anderton highlights the same old First Past the Post arrogance of the two old parties – the same two party stranglehold on political power which New Zealand First is going to end on Election Day.

“Just like the attempted deal in Tauranga between Labour and National, Dr Cullen’s comments point to the same sort of arrogance displayed by Mrs Shipley in her treatment of her former coalition partner. Both parties are unwilling to share political power – with other political parties or, more importantly, with the public.

“Clearly Dr Cullen and his Party have not learned any lessons from their 1996 coalition negotiations with New Zealand First when that sort of arrogance, with Labour not securing the Alliance’s support for the coalition, jeopardised any chance of a New Zealand First/Labour Government under MMP.

“Labour is campaigning on a platform of change yet they are still arrogantly refusing to deliver the number one change New Zealanders want – a real say in political decisions, government programmes being dependent on majority public support – not a blank cheque to First Past the Post Minority Dictatorships.

“New Zealand First is the only party in the position to deliver that change and force the two old parties to be democratic,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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