NZ Elections

So the election is less than a week away. Some of you may not have read the last topic I posted, so I will write a quick guide to make your vote count. Partial credit goes to the Sunday Star Times. Since I'm writing this after reading the article they had, this will probably be somewhat influenced by it. I did add a lot more to it though..

First of all we should talk about your electorate vote. I'm not a political commentator so I can only informatively comment on the electorate I'm in (Pakuranga). Sadly your vote will not influence the outcome. Pakuranga is a National area, and Maurice Williamson will comfortably be reelected. Vote for whoever you please..

The most important vote for the majority of us is the party vote. You can either vote for one of the 2 main parties, vote for a minor party, or do a protest vote.

Voting for one of the 2 main parties makes a lot of sense. Either Labour or National will be in charge of parliament. Their promises will be the ones which will be passed (and the oppositions promises wont be). Helen Clark or John Key will be prime minister. A vote for the party is not only a vote for the party. A vote for Labour is also a vote against National, and a vote for National is a vote against Labour. Labour is currently trailing in the polls so every vote they get will help them narrow the gap on National, which they need to do. National do not have many friends in politics (only Act and United Future), so they need to get as many votes as they can get to assure them power. Voting for Labour or National is a sensible vote.

Why should you vote for a minor party? The minor parties have more extreme agendas compared to the main 2. The Greens are focused on the environment, United Future are focused on families, the Maori party are focused on the Maoris, Progressives are focused on state-owned enterprises (keeping them), NZ First are focused on Old people, and Act are focused on tax-cuts (much higher than what National want to give). If you have a strong view on one of these areas, you should vote for them. The more seats they have after the election, the better the bargaining position they will be in to convince either Labour or National to pass more of their policies.

The Greens are polling well at the moment. They will support Labour post-election. Voting for the Greens will ensure Labour will need to pass their policies. Vote for them if you support their enviornmental policies.

A vote for United Future is a wasted vote. Peter Dunne will win his electorate seat comfortably but they are polling well below the chance to win a second seat. Do you really think they are likely to improve between now and saturday? United Future supports National so if you support United Future, vote National instead.

Likewise, a vote for the Maori Party is a wasted vote. They will win all the Maori seats, which is well above the % of party votes they are currently polling to get. The Maori Party will 'probably' support Labour, so if you support the Maori Party, vote Labour instead.

The Progressive Party is like United Future. Jim Anderton will regain his seat, but polling shows that will be it. You shouldn't need me to tell you that Jim Anderton supports Labour, so if you support Progressives, vote Labour.

NZ First are polling just under 5%. Winston Peters is not assured of winning his Tauranga electorate seat, so every party vote for NZ First will help them stay in parliament. NZ First will probably support Labour (National wont talk to him). Analysts are saying if you support Labour, you should vote NZ First to help assure them get in (so their % of party votes aren't wasted). This will allow Labour (% NZFirst) to be in a position of power after the election. This is worth thinking about if you are a Labour supporter.

Act are polling ok but below 5%. They are safe because Rodney Hide will win his electorate. Act will obviously support National after the election. It is worth mentioning Sir Rodger Douglas is 3rd on the party list. This is worth thinking about if you are a National supporter.

Protest votes in my opinion are a waste. I'd rather you not waste your energy going to vote because it will have no effect on the outcome of the election, and you will just be breathing more air than if you just stayed at home.

So, in conclusion, I think you should vote Labour/Greens/ or even NZ First. I discussed why in a previous post. Remember, YOUR VOTE COUNTS SO DO IT (unless it's a stupid protest vote).