Opinion: Key open to a deal with 'Wogistan Party'

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Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:36a.m.

Key is keeping an open mind about a deal with NZ First, despite the ordeal

Key is keeping an open mind about a deal with NZ First, despite the ordeal

Overlooked in all of the combustion over "Wogistan" has been the fact that John Key won't actually rule out working with the party that harbours ‘Mr Wogistan’ himself.

Yes, that's right - while Key hammered Richard Prosser at yesterday's stand-up, the very last question was whether he would rule out working with NZ First after the next election.

And Key's response? He hasn't made a decision yet.

That means NZ First is still in the game as coalition partner for National at the next election.

So even though Winston Peters is harbouring an MP who thinks diversity is "evil", and who calls Muslims "an upstart minority", Key won't rule out dealing with NZ First.

So even though NZ First is a party that essentially thinks it's OK to offend the Muslim world - which accounts for billions of dollars of trade for us - Key won't rule out dealing with them.

So even though NZ First thinks it's OK to have an MP who got so angry over a confiscated pocket knife he decided Muslims shouldn't be able to fly, Key might still go into Government with NZ First.

Even though Key says Prosser's comments show the lack of talent in the NZ First caucus - Key is still prepared to deal with those MPs in his own Government.

To be fair to Key, he's keeping his options open until early 2014 - he has no choice if he wants to win.

He probably hopes NZ First will destroy itself - and the Horan and Prosser debacles will be giving him hope.

The attack by both Key and Collins on NZ First yesterday shows they are ready to put a couple of hits in to help the destruction - although they are not completely putting it in a choker-hold.

The tactic by National is clearly this: NZ First could still be valuable to us - so let's not hurt them too much.

I have a sense that Key backs himself here and believes NZ First will blow up before the 2014 election - but he's hedging his bets.

Key's other solace will be that Labour is all too prepared to deal with Peters as well. David Shearer and Labour are just as desperate as Key for power - they will deal with the Prosser party too.

Peters of course looks like he's enjoying this and is probably hoping Prosser's invective will give NZ First a boost in the polls from those out there in voter land with racist tendencies.

So Key may hate what Prosser said - he doesn't hate it so much to rule out doing a deal with NZ First. 

And while Key probably hates NZ First, he's not yet ready to rule out being mates.

That's because when you are desperate for power, you are prepared to let things slide.

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Comments

2/03/2013 1:27:02 p.m.

terry wrote:

its prime minister heart full of nothing but money key .

22/02/2013 7:38:11 p.m.

practicle wrote:

Prosser may not be politicaly correct and may discriminate but is he wrong? It seems to be mainly young muslem men who are doing these terrable things and ignoring it doesnt change the facts.

18/02/2013 6:56:55 p.m.

iain wrote:

With the way National are performing and Key's list of lies gets longer I suggest he rules out no party for a coalition... I think short of a coalition with Labour you have had it come election day.

18/02/2013 3:53:06 p.m.

JIm wrote:

Labour is open to deal with the "Wogistan" party as well. Yet, this opinion is almost entirely devoted to going on about National. Not exactly balanced.

18/02/2013 12:01:48 p.m.

Steve wrote:

you say: " And Key's response? He hasn't made a decision yet. That means NZ First is still in the game as coalition partner for National at the next election." It's drawing a long bow to suggest that NZF is "still in the mix" Key has consistently said he doubts that a party with Winston at its head would figure in a Key led Government. Lets focus on giving us an insight and not the sensationalist sound bite eh?

16/02/2013 3:09:11 p.m.

ray taylor wrote:

Will the member for Wogistan allow his beard to re-grow? He looked like the stereotype in his condemnation. Viva Wogistan!

15/02/2013 9:59:39 p.m.

Steve wrote:

Key will have options come election time. The latest Roy Morgan poll has NZ First down 1.5% at 4.0% and has the Conservatives up 1.5% at 2.0%. They will be a real option come election time.

15/02/2013 2:36:52 p.m.

Connie Concerned wrote:

How can these one band parties Act and United be legal now. If we are told they are not allowed as political parties at the next election.Why have we got GST on Food, Petrol, Power,Gas,Rates(Already a Tax}Plumber Bills White where.The double standards.Taxing the Poor so the rich get richer.No Asset Sales-it's not like it is going to make our power bills cheaper.How can they sell Assets we all own. So the rich can prosper .At the expense of all Nzers. Subsidize Solar power and wind.Stop giving the Maori's money. Waitangi treaty outdated.We use to own Meadow bank Remuera 1945 I'am not putting in a claim for that. Also Drug users release people from jail give them back their Assets. They may need drying out at country retreat with healthy food Music and exercise.They are not taking assets off wine whiskey growers. Double standard. Or jail time for general drunk people that aren't driving. Cannibiss heals cancer an other diseases check out you tube Nat geo channel sky Tv Medical cannibiss Dispensary are legal in America when are we going to catch up?: Patrick I Like your Style and humour. Also TV 3 is doing a great Job excellent Work !! We will be watching.

14/02/2013 8:23:57 p.m.

Ruz wrote:

Firstly I agree with Bruce on his important point on the definition of racism. Secondly while Prosser may have gone a bit wide in suggesting that all young Muslin men should be banned from aircraft it is this demographic that have been targeted for years by border control officers as the main candidates for terrorism. And finally, Winston Peters has made it quite plain that he will not enter into a coalition with National should NZ First find itself in a strong negotiating position after an election. In fact Peters best experience in coalition was with Labour. And as you know Patrick his earlier foray with National in coalition turned out to be a disaster.

13/02/2013 7:31:25 p.m.

bubba wrote:

The comment made Mr Prosser has offended me in so many way that it asbecome apparrent to me that you are scary and dangerous.Scary because you had no idea what a comment like that would mean to Maori. And dangerous because you don't care.The muslim community must feel safe in Aotearoa just as you and your loved ones are made to feel safe here.And we as a Nation share and care for all.Please take care in what you say in the future beause as an MP what you say represents a nation.

Patrick Gower

Political Editor

Patrick is the 3 News Political Editor based in Wellington. Here he offers his commentary on New Zealand politics from his front-row seat in the Press Gallery. He has been a journalist for 15 years, covering stories in Afghanistan and on the US presidential election campaign trail, and was previously a political and investigative reporter for the New Zealand Herald.

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