Voters decide ‘deals’, not politicians
August 24 2:30 PM
AUTHOR:
UnitedFuture has just held its annual conference here in the Ohariu electorate as we prepare ourselves for the coming election both nationally and locally.
Our guest speaker was Prime Minister John Key. People have a sense of him as a straight-up Kiwi bloke who you can back and trust. I have to say that is exactly my experience from three years of working very positively with him.
Pundits and self-appointed experts everywhere read symbolism and intent into all these things – including him coming to our conference – and that is fine.
My political opponents on the left here in Ohariu have feigned great indignation at 'deals' being done and the likes, all the while between them saying 'don't vote for me, vote for the other guy'. Apparently months of such instructions do not amount to a deal by their cute definitions!
I find that a little confounding, but they are right about one thing. Ohariu is a bellwether electorate for whether voters want a centre government or a left-wing government.
And to be blunt, it is about whether you want a Minister in the next government fighting for your interests and Wellington's interests, or whether you want your MP to be part of a weak and increasingly dysfunctional Labour opposition.
Ohariu will not get a strong voice in government with the latter choice, nor will Wellington.
So, yes, come November, Ohariu voters will get a very clear choice for the centre and a second-term National-led Government in which John Key has clearly signalled that he wants to include UnitedFuture as a valued support partner, or into the political abyss with a Labour MP who will not be in a position to achieve anything for Ohariu.
I never have bought the line about politicians doing deals. The voters work out the 'deal' they want. They always have and always will. It is called democracy.
As I said in my conference speech, my role in this Government has been highlighted by knocking Kronic out of the picture, being pivotal as Revenue Minister in lowering taxes, and now being charged by the Prime Minister with delivering a fairer, better Child Support system which New Zealand desperately needs.
So yes, the Prime Minister and National have said they want the party and electorate vote almost everywhere, but they are only seeking the party vote here in Ohariu. I take nothing for granted, however. They say the best indicator of future performance is past performance and I will stand on my record.