Making MMP work
9 August 2007
Since 2002 United Future has been known as the party that 'makes MMP work'. We have provided stability to governments over two terms and have resisted the temptation that affects many parties of promoting instability for political gain. United Future MPs have been and will continue to be well-respected by their parliamentary colleagues and adversaries for their reasonable views, hard work and level-headedness.
Over the last 18 months there has been a noticeable transformation in the way MMP has worked in Parliament; a transformation that United Future has been key in facilitating. For the first time since the inception of MMP in New Zealand the ‘small’ or ‘MMP parties’ have begun working together on issues of common interest. Successes achieved through this cooperation include: a commitment from the Government to repeal the laws of sedition; the defence of access to information through combined opposition to the births, deaths and marriages legislation; and the drawing up of a parliamentary code of conduct.
The experience and leadership of United Future leader Peter Dunne has been a key focal point for all the ‘MMP parties’, and once again proves that United Future is willing to work with all sides to achieve on issues of shared interest.