June 12, 2016
Does the Maori Party need a MoU with the MANA Movement?
Does the Maori Party need a MoU with the MANA Movement?
Martyn 'Bomber' Bradbury
The Maori Party need to become a Party of Government rather than a Party in Government. They need to be prepared to sit at every Parliament if they wish to be effective. The speed of the change in internal polling post the Memorandum of Understanding however puts the Maori Party in a difficult position.
If Labour put a concerted effort into Waiariki, they could tap into the support MANA generated and tip Flavell out, ending the Maori Party altogether. You can see the way Labour have let loose Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene onto the Maori Party as proof positive Labour have taken the gloves off.
The Memorandum of Understanding makes the Maori Party irrelevant to a new Government post 2017, and if the new reporting of the polls gives the perception of momentum, the Maori Party suffers.
In such a changing strategic landscape, the Maori Party need to take the same MMP approach and look at creating their own Memorandum of Understanding to ensure there is an independent Maori political voice at the table while giving the Maori Party a chance to be part of a new Government and cement in their position as a Party of Government.
The solution is obvious. The great schism within political Maoridom needs to be repaired. The MANA Movement and the Maori Party need urgent discussions to discuss their own Memorandum of Understanding. The Maori Party don't run a candidate in Te Tai Tokerau and urge their voters support Hone and the MANA Movement doesn't stand in Waiariki, urging their voters support Flavell.
This would guarantee both parties get elected plus they can give a reason to boost their Party vote because their entry is assured and under the coat tailing rule they could bring in an MP each off their lists if they hit over 1.2% Party vote. As a bloc they could have 4 MPs that give real power to Maori interests.
If the Greens and Labour can set aside their animosity to get the best for their voters as the economy turns, why can't the Maori Party and MANA Movement?
Martyn Bradbury
Editor – TheDailyBlog.co.nz
Waatea 5th Estate
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Radio Waatea and it's Board would like to advise that the opinions posted are those of Martyn 'Bomber' Bradbury and not the views of Radio Waatea, it's Management or it's Board.
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