But that is Winston and because of that fact alone, we must prepare for the unexpected even though the odds are surely stacked against him in 2023.
I say that because, in my humble opinion, this latest decision will almost certainly mean the end of a career with more resurrections than Lazarus could conjure up.
Sticking with that analogy, you could say that he has had more final appearances than Dame Nellie Melba. We have all written him off over the years but here he is back again and you wouldn’t bet the house against his ability to do it again once more.
But this time it is different or at least it looks like being a death from self inflicted wounds.
If he had left his options open right up until Election Day just like during previous campaigns when he was able to play one major party off against the other, you would understand how he could do deals after the votes were counted that ensured his own survival.
Unfortunately, that scenario epitomises both the worst and best aspect of our current MMP voting system.
People who support minor parties vote for them because of their ability to become a sea anchor on the radical extremes of the two major parties like NZ First did in this government’s first term. It is rather ironic that the worst aspect of MMP ie allowing a party who barely crossed the threshold to become kingmaker of the one who didn’t even get the most votes, should have turned out to be the one that leads to its own downfall next time around.
However, in fairness, the other aspect that proved to be most beneficial for provincial New Zealand during that first three years was a real plus for those of us who struggled during Covid and so, in retrospect, we should be grateful to him that it happened that way.
But the excesses of this Government’s radical clandestine agenda that wasn’t disclosed to either of its coalition partners and will probably spell the end of Labour at the next election has proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back as far as Winston is concerned.
I believe voters from all parties fed up with this monumental betrayal will move en mass towards those who have the capacity to govern either alone or with only one other partner. To ensure that end, it is unlikely they will risk wasting their vote by dabbling with the small outfits who won’t make it over the line. Neither should they.
Time will tell.
Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.
6 comments:
I think we have to expect the unexpected. National ain't looking so good at the mo'. I think Winston is playing to the sentiment that is blowing through the country which he has been touring, as he does. I think he wants there to be no doubt that he won't support Labour. If he did a u-turn there would be a lynch mob after him.
MC
I would not underestimate Winston and his party. The main threat facing NZ is maori takeover. Luxon so far is hopelessly accommodative; for Hamilton West they have chosen a maori businessman who presumably has constant contact with the maori elite driving the takeover. Acts position is not overly clear. Winston and Jones more fathomable. Jones recently wrote an article in the Herald criticising co governance (How it came to be published a mystery!)
The main worry is that their maori side may triumph and they prove to be the ultimate 5th columnists. Both have changed course in the past. Another unsettling factor; their present pro democratic counter maori takeover stance will draw Waitangi and the many other nutters. With present attitudes, life up north may not be enjoyable surrounded constantly by a bodyguard. With most of the bikies and 501s maori, and the latter now been here long enough to be brainwashed, more security than Key used will be essential.
I hope you're right Clive, but there's a bit of 3 waters to pass under the bridge yet. I smell revolt in the air.
Has National the capacity to govern alone?
I very much doubt it.
Luxon's zombie performance gives me no confidence at all, and if we are to begin the long haul back to democracy the feeble Nats will require significant stiffening.
And that can only be supplied by ACT, and, paradoxically, Winston.
Yes, I know Winston has disappointed us before, but, as far as I can recall, he has never wavered on the most crucial issue, which is the Jacinda-facilitated rebirth of racism and apartheid.
Winston is still the most impressive political orator we've got, and with NZ First plus Act in government the Nats could never betray us.
This might be his last hurrah, but we do need him.
Well said Dave W - your last two sentences are so right.
I have suggested a joining or coalition of both ACT AND NZ First. Not a silly idea, look closely at both parties key policies and they are 90% compatible.
Imagine ACT with 10% and NZ First with 5% as a coalition 15% they could if Labour keeps slipping be NZs second largest party and as a coalition partner with National be able to push through much more of a right wing agenda on policy's.
Put the ego's aside guys and work to the benefit of our belovered country.
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