Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Greens define "democracy"
I listened with interest as Paul Homes interviewed Jeanette Fitzsimons this morning. And I was particularly interested in the Greens' unique perspective on democracy in New Zealand. Fitzsimons completely ruled out talking with National after the election, even if more New Zealanders vote for National than for any other party. However the Greens are quite happy to talk with Labour and other parties to help them to form a "coalition of the losers" and impose their will upon the majority. That's democracy, watermelon style!
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You know and expect Labour & co to lie about how NZ's unwritten constitution works.
And because we have an unwritten constitution, well lots of it isn't written down anywhere. duh.
But NZ's constitution is clear: the party with the largest vote is required to form a government by the governor-general, and all minor parties are required to support them if asked
Remember that last time around, even Rodney Hide and ACT said they would make an agreement with Helen if they absolutely had to for the good of NZ. Now it's not a deal that Helen would have wanted to take, but she was the leader of the largest party, and if she for some reason had wanted ACT in the government, Rodney Hide made absolutely clear he would be willing to come to an arrangement.
Now I think he was foolish - because Helen was not legitimately elected last time around. But that's what he says.
NZ is not Italy or Israel. NZ prizes strong, decisive government (even when it is evil, witness the votes for Helen!).
Under the NZ constitution, the Greens must pledge support to the largest party, if that party comes asking them for it. if they do not, then ideally the new anti-corruption commission should remove them from parliament and replace them with list members from other parties that will.
anything else betrays democracy.
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