This prediction was predicated on a persistently insipid performance (in my view) by the current National party leader Mr Luxon, particularly when it comes to making it clear that National will repeal all Labour’s racially divisive policies.
The elevation of ACT I also attribute to being largely
assisted by traditional National voters who deserted the underperforming Hon
Judith Collins in unprecedented droves last election, now having nowhere else
to go as the political pendulum swings back to centre right.
Which leaves open the field of play for Winston
Peters.
A large catchment of undecided vote is there for the taking.
Disgruntled Labour voters who won’t vote National or Green and an equally large
catchment of traditional conservative National voters, who are hostile on the
Maorification of New Zealand and who remember Roger Douglas.
This week Winston emerged from the bush like a rampaging
stag delivering an unequivocal message:
'Co-Governance is not Democracy' (2)
No messing about with obfuscations but consistent with what
he has previously maintained. As I
penned in A Step Too Far: (3)
In terms of the Treaty of
Waitangi, as far as this concept intrudes on Constitutional Law, at the
political level, politicians of considerable experience – from Rt Hon David
Lange to Rt Hon Sir Bill English and Rt Hon Winston Peters –
have all dismissed the claim that the Treaty created a, “partnership between
Maori and the Crown”.
Thus, I contend this latest enunciation is not Winston jumping
on a convenient bandwagon.
Will Winston stand by this latest pledge? I think he will for if nothing else,
Winston’s swan song will be lauded by an overwhelming majority of New
Zealanders.
To be remembered for saving New Zealand, is an epitaph to
aspire too.
There is also collateral evidence which (in my view)
reinforces Winston’s commitment to New Zealand first. For example, at a recent National Party
former MPs reunion of the 1990 intake, Ian Peters, brother of Winston,
sang a waiata.
He sang; “Rose of Scotland”.
By my assessment, an unequivocal message: The Peters’ clan
is New Zealanders first from part Māori and part Scottish heritage.
Post Script.
Will Winston go with National/ACT or Labour/Greens?
Some commentators portend that he will go with Labour/Green.
If I was still his advisor, I would be pressing him to go
with whichever side offered him the first eighteen months of the next
government, as Prime Minister.
Why?
Either way, Winston will have the power to re-set New
Zealand as a nation of denizens who are: “Equals before the Law”.
But also, time comes when one must look after one’s self and
family -
1
Prime Minister is the only Office Winston has
not attained during his tenure as an MP.
2 Eighteen months would qualify Winston for the Prime Minister’s pension and perks hereafter.
Disclosure:
I went to school with Winston. During my time in parliament (1987 – 1996) ,
we were mates and post parliament I served 3 years (1999 – 2003) as his primary
industries adviser. The fishing industry
component of that role culminating in the Scamp Affair, saw Winston and
me – part company. We are no longer
mates. I will vote ACT on the appeal of
Brooke van Velden as a rising star – and because I am a capitalist.
Footnotes:
(1) https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2022/08/ross-meurant-political-prediction.html(2) https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2022/08/winston-peters-co-governance-is-not.html
(3) https://www.nzcpr.com/a-step-too-far-bi-cultural-partnership/
Ross Meurant, graduate in politics both at university and as a Member of Parliament; formerly police inspector in charge of Auckland spies & V.I.P. security; currently Honorary Consul for an African state, Trustee and CEO of Russian owned commercial assets in New Zealand and has international business interest.
4 comments:
Winston made a very good statement the other day, but you nailed it in mentioning the perks of PM. Those baubles of office are his downfall and I expect many will be put off for that reason, as in once or is it twice bitten... Unless something truly remarkable happens, National will rightly lose many votes to Act, who represent the only sensible alternative to this corrupt, divisive 'partnership' claptrap Government.
It's amazing what a couple of years in politics can do?
Winston Peters seems have gone from Zero to Hero and is being lauded as New Zealand's saviour, amazingly.
I vividly remember when his name was mud for allowing the current Labour incompetents to form a government. This reaction largely came about in 2020 when it became all too clear what Labour intended on pro-Maori co-governance.
If Winston is completely against co-governance I fail to see how his conscience (assuming he has one) would allow him to go into coalition with the current Labour and Green Parties AGAIN.
As for picking the side which gives him the best pension that really is self-sacrifice for you. Nothing like putting the country first over personal gain. And if its personal gain he's really after he should retire from politics and try public speaking.
How many seats would NZ First likely get I wonder? If Winston swings Left, they would be a minority partner in a Labour-led government trying to put the brakes on as before. Would they, or a centre-right coalition, honestly offer him PM. Talk about a great way to alienate your own supporters.
NZFirst won't erase Labour's ideology and I doubt they would do much to change NZ's path.
I wish I had witnessed Ian Peters singing "Flower of Scotland" I would have sung along.
Murray Ngati Donnachaidh.
As Winston started this by ignoring National and throwing his hand in with Labour and The Greens, campaigning against all of the evils of the current govt. is the very least he can do. He deserves no reward for this, call it penance.
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