NZ First content to sit in opposition after 2014 election
Winston Peters says he won't necessarily play kingmaker, shoudl the opportunity arise ...
In a statement that might inspire a Tui billboard, Winston Peters says he won't necessarily play kingmaker after the next election, should the opportunity arise.
The New Zealand First leader says he is happy to sit in the opposition benches after next year’s election if the party feels it is necessary.
Speaking on The Nation as part of a panel with his former New Zealand First colleagues Ron Mark, Neil Kirton, and Tuauriki Delamere looking back on the party’s last 20 years of existence, Mr Peters said his party will assess which side of the house they feel they can be most effective.
“But the reality is you have to see whether or not forming a government is in the interest of the country, that is the type of government and whether or not the people's votes that put you there are going to be on it, and if the price is too high we're happy as we said at the last election to sit on the cross bench and keep them honest and keep them honest we have as you've seen in the last eighteen months, I mean for three years we were out National got away with anything and everything, they're not getting away with anything and everything now,’ he said.
Mr Peters said the party will commemorate their 20th anniversary but at a later unconfirmed date and everyone is invited.
“We'll invite John Key we'll invite the Greens, and David Shearer and everybody else... and more importantly we'll invite those who were involved at the very beginning and starting this party and kept it going all these years,” he said.
NBR staff
Sun, 14 Jul 2013
Sun, 14 Jul 2013
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NZ First content to sit in opposition after 2014 election
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