Written by Mike Hosking, this article originally appeared on www.newstalkzb.co.nz on Monday, November 11, 2013.
Peter Dunne had his annual conference over the weekend. Technically it was the United Future conference, but about 30 people turned up. I’ve had more than that around to my place for drinks, so we’re not dealing with one of the political game’s larger groupings.
Yet look at the clout they have. For a one man show (and a one man show that’s had about as bad a year as you could imagine) he’s still there, still running, still back for another go. My money is on him winning.
The Prime Minister hasn’t publicly talked of any deals in the electorate, but he’d be an idiot not to give Dunne a decent chance. Splitting the vote to let an opponent slip through, especially given National’s lack of choices, is political suicide. And you’d have to argue of all the coalition partners you’d want, Dunne would have to be the most desirable.
He’s not radical, he represents a decent slice of New Zealand (Ohariu is very middle-class mortgage belt), he’s been consistent, he’s never really rocked the boat. The trouble he got in with the reporter and the leaks seemed hopelessly out of character and in the grand scheme of things I don’t think it will prove to be remotely damaging. In fact I think the party president had it right when he said parts of the media are hyenas - they look for blood, feast on it, then move on.
There’s nothing not to deserve another go. He’s always been popular locally and when you compare him to the other one MP party member, i.e. John Banks and Act, he looks positively angelic.
Speaking of which, I’m not ruling Banks out winning Epsom either. Plenty have already written him off. But Epsom is an electorate that understands the game, and even if they don’t vote for Banks because they like him they’ll vote for Banks because he gets National another go. It’s a longer shot than last time, but if you think I’m nuts at least if it happens remember where you heard it first.
But back to Dunne. Odd business this MMP that the bloke out of mortgage belt Wellington can hold such potential power. This one representative with the tiny party, so small it got deregistered for a while, can hold potentially the balance and might well be the difference between National getting three more years or none at all. That is why he should get a go. Because by and large unlike every other small operator he’s been moderate, he’s understood his role and his rights. Your Hones and Tarias and Russells talk and act like they own the place. They’re the tail that loves to try and wag the dog.
But Dunne gets it, perhaps even to the extent of him vanishing from the public’s view. The small guy in MMP seems to be swallowed by the big boys, hence the others who beat their chests to be heard. Dunne just gets on with it. Given his year, I’m glad he’s back for more. He one of the better sides of MMP.
Original URL: http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/shows/breakfast/highlights/mhb-mikes-editorial-11nov2013