Labour and the Greens have just signed up a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to change the Government.
About fucking time. It kinda begs the question what have they been doing in there for 8 years before this?
The Labour Party and the Green Party have announced today they have signed an historic agreement to work cooperatively to change the Government.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the parties commits them to working cooperatively to change the Government including closer work at parliament and a possible joint policy announcement or campaign.
“We are sending a clear signal to New Zealanders who want a new and better government that Labour and the Greens will work together to deliver that,” said Labour Party leader Andrew Little.
“It is our intent to build on this agreement to offer New Zealanders the basis of a stable, credible and progressive alternative government at the 2017 General Election.
“The MOU is a fresh start and a sign of newfound strength in our relationship and our mutual commitment to changing the Government.
“When I was elected Labour leader I made it clear that we would not go into another election without strong cooperation with likeminded parties to change the Government. Today, I am delivering on that promise.
“A new Labour-led Government will focus on the critical issues facing our country. We will provide better housing, health and education and a cleaner environment while building a sustainable economy with decent jobs,” said Andrew Little.
“New Zealanders who want a better future now have crystal clear clarity about what they are getting with their vote, we are a vote for change,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.
“It is time for a Government that puts the wellbeing of people and the environment at the centre of everything it does.
“When Labour and the Greens have actively cooperated and campaigned together, New Zealanders did perceive our parties as a credible alternative to National.
This looks like it’s been hastily thrown together so there’s either a Poll – TVNZs I suspect – that says they are doing well and want to capitalise on that or it says they are doing poorly and they are trying to extinguish an eruption of anger from their supporters.
The Greens and Labour need to look like a confident functioning Government in waiting, that’s the point of this, but it all seems a bit clumsy and rushed.
What’s their policy platform, what’s their ideas, what’s their policy on negotiating with Winston? Well, there’s none of that detail, just a ‘we promise to play nicely with each other’ list.
Which seems dull, and a bit of a missed opportunity.
The real power of this symbolism will occur this year when leaders attend the others Party Conferences and speak.
It does tell us that the attempt to move to the centre by the Greens has sailed with James Shaw’s lacklustre media appearances to date and Labour knowledge they can’t get to 40% after all.
This civil union is a bit like a Government Housing Policy, hasty and light on detail.