Maori Party Ponders Its Future Under MMP
October 2nd, 2008
The Maori Party’s post-election position is becoming an issue of intense speculation, because it’s tipped to add two more seats to the four it holds. It could even take all seven Maori seats, making it potentially the third largest party in Parliament and possibly holding the balance of power. Exasperating uncertainty in the comments of co-leader Pita Sharples isn’t helping anyone form an opinion of what might happen. His body language suggests National would be the favoured choice.
The party doesn’t want to lose its freedom of speech through a suffocating arrangement with one of the major parties. Sharples also says it could remain neutral on the cross benches for another term. But can it afford to sit out another three years without achieving any policy implementation, having no influence at all over the next Govt? Its supporters might not think so, and the planned consultation period after the election is shaping up as a crucial exercise.
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Duncan Cotterill