Green MPs! Show Labour How A U Turn Is Done!

Green MPs! Show Labour how it's done! Do a 'U Turn' on the Privvy Council!

URGENT OPEN LETTER TO ALL GREEN PARTY MPS!

13 October 2003

Dear Jeanette Fitzsimons
Rod Donald
Sue Bradford
Nandor Tanczos
Sue Kedgley
Ian Ewen-Street
Keith Locke
Meteria Turei
Mike Ward

You want Labour Party MPs to do a 'U Turn' on supporting the lifting of the moratorium on the commercial release of GE.

How about leading by example, by yourselves doing a 'U Turn' on supporting the abolition of NZ legal ties with the Privvy Council?

It is a sign of strength, not political weakness to change your position in the face of significant public concern.

A little thing called 'democracy'?

"The will of the people shall be basis of the authority of government;..."

(Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 21 (3)

Where is the public mandate to make such a significant constitutional change?

Where was the considered public debate and discussion - the extensive and meaningful public consultation?

For a constitutional change of this significance to be effectively railroaded through without public mandate or adequate public discussion would, in my opinion, be in breach of Green Party policy of

"increasing participation of the wider community in justice procedures"

Even if the Green Party members have thoroughly discussed and support your stand on this issue - the NZ public have not.

Railroading huge constitutional changes through is NOT democracy, and quite frankly, there are a lot of people who had much higher expectations of the Green Party, on this important issue of democratic process.

What principles are being shown by rushing through major constitutional change?

'Where's the fire?'

Where is the consistency in supporting public consultation at local government level, but not a major constitutional change at central government level?

However, it is not too late!

Let's see the Green Party MPs leading from the front, practising what you preach, and showing Labour Party MPs how it is possible to show courage and principle by changing your position after you've listened to, and taken heed of widespread public concern.

The principle of guardianship for New Zealanders is at stake on this major constitutional issue, just as it is over the proposed lifting of the GE moratorium.

Please keep faith with the public, and reconsider your support for the Supreme Court law change until there has been more time for informed public debate and discussion, and evidence of clear majority public support for a constitutional change of such magnitude.

Looking forward to seeing principles being put ahead of politics, with Green Party MPs withdrawing support for the Supreme Court law change bill tomorrow.

Penny Bright

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