PRESS RELEASE

3 September 2012

John Key Can’t Count

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig has responded to John Key's comments on Friday in which Mr Key claimed National achieved an 'overwhelming majority' in the 2011 election and therefore has a mandate to proceed with asset sales.

“To use the phrase 'overwhelming majority' is not accurate, and is in fact misleading. The combined total votes of the parties supporting the sale of state assets is equal to 48.55% of votes cast. This is not a majority, and it’s certainly not overwhelming.”

“National does not have a mandate to proceed with the sale or partial sale of state assets. To continue to push ahead is to once again show disdain and disrespect for the New Zealand voter.”

“Instead of a fire sale of assets, we need to get serious about balancing the budget, and take initiatives to get people working and businesses flourishing.”

“We have to stop the self-congratulations arising from comparisons to Greece and other failing economies. Instead, let’s take lessons from those who are succeeding. Good leadership is about finding ways to succeed. Not making excuses for the reasons why we fail,” says Colin Craig.

ENDS

© Scoop Media