April 23, 2014
Jones loss a blow for Maori
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says Shane Jones’ resignation from parliament is a blow to Labour and to Maoridom.
He says it was clear to him looking from the outside that the list MP was frustrated that many in the Labour caucus were pushing their own narrow agendas rather than the cause of the wider party.
He says Mr Jones had his eye on the bigger picture, and his recent performance in parliament shows he had the skills and talent to deliver on that if given the chance.
"People who can hack it in the political world in all sorts of environments against the best the other parties can throw up, there’s not many of them on the ground and Shane had that ability and whatever people thought of Shane, talent, education, ability and being well read, all were part of his persona and that’s why it is going to be big blow to the Labour Party,"Mr Peters says.
He says he never offered or discussed with Shane Jones the prospect of him coming over to New Zealand First, but pundits misinterpreted friendship as political plotting.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH WINSTON PETERS CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MTc0MzM=
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