Is Russel getting worried?

Is Russel Norman getting worried about the effect that the Mana Party might have on the Greens in November? We think he might be; how else would you explain this outburst via John Hartevelt of Stuff?

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman has attacked Hone Harawira's new Mana Party as a throwback to the last century.

Mr Harawira launched his new party in Auckland at the weekend but other parties have quickly distanced themselves from it, with both Labour and National ruling out a working relationship.

Mr Harawira, independent since he quit the Maori Party, has given his proxy vote to the Greens.

The article then goes on to remind readers just how the Mana Party might be problematic for the Greens - read on:

At his party launch on Saturday, former Green MPs Sue Bradford and Nandor Tanczos spoke in support of the Mana Party. Ms Bradford could run as a candidate.

Dr Norman said "there might be a few votes" for the new party, but "maybe not a lot". "I mean, who wants to relive the battles of the 1980s and 1990s? We're in 2011 for God's sake. We need a progressive force that actually deals with where we are now, not tries to refight the 1980s and 1990s.

"I just don't think a lot of people are really hanging out for a Hone Harawira, Sue Bradford, John Minto, Annette Sykes kind of party ... They're looking for something progressive and forward-looking that actually is oriented to the current century rather than the last one."

There's obviously a whole lot of residual bitterness and rancour between the Green Party and Sue Bradford. That Sue Bradford is considering standing for the Mana Party is noteworthy enough. That she will be pitching to the same consituency as Russel Norman, the hard left, makes that prospect even more tantalising. After all, both have a pedigree in socialist politics.

Whilst we're certainly not fans of Hone Harawira or those who seek to join his party, we see the potential for them to cannibalise the Green vote to the extent that neither party makes it into the next Parliament. We wouldn't be at all unhappy with that scenario!

Maybe there's another explanation though; maybe Russel Norman is trying to limit the damage that the revelations of his relationship with the USA has caused. That's what happens when you abandon your principles Russel!


UPDATE: Russel Norman must be feeling the heat; this, from his Facebook page:

Russel Norman

Sorry, I overly personalised my critique of the Mana Party in the DomPost. I was asked about whether they are a threat to the Green vote, which I don't think they are. I was trying to make the point that there is an important political distinction between the old left and the greens but this came across as overly personal. My apologies. As I said on Backbenches last week, I wish them luck.

Good on him for 'fessing up, but it makes no difference. He and Sue Bradford are both socialists of long standing, and from where we're sitting, they're pitching for the same vote.