In the last debate between PM Luxon and opposition leader Hipkins, both said exploiting the overhang is cheating. I didn’t watch the debate, so I don’t know the context but I am clear, strategic voting is not cheating. This is how MMP voting is designed.
Data shows, both major Partys will lose some of their top Cabinet ministers. Even Stuff NZ newspaper points this out. Why didn’t the two main Partys realise this early on because polls indicated this a long time ago? They should have placed their top ministers in safe electorates. This is such a blunder and hard to understand.
Admittedly, this is the first time the two major Partys are so low in the polls, but surely they must understand the MMP system and the way it is designed. It shows both Partys are asleep at the wheel, and will suffer the consequences.
New Zealand’s MMP voting system is designed to ensure, most of the public is represented in Parliament, not just the two main Partys. This was painfully clear when Parliament voted on legalizing LGBTQ+. Eighty percent of New Zealanders said no, the government ignored them and passed the law!
The Partys did not represent the public and there are many other occasions when this has happened. When governments are tone deaf, ignoring reasonable requests from their people, they risk losing out at the next election. This is the strength of a democratic system.
But in this case, when politicians are so tone deaf to people dying because of their decisions, and do not even understand their own electoral system, we must wonder what are they there for?
Former MP Alfred Ngaro shares a key factor for the main Partys’ low polls. During covid, both Partys ignored protestors who did not want to take an unproven shot, whose family members died or were permanently injured, whose youth were forced to take the shots when the government knew it was causing myocaditis, and of people loosing their business and families. Of course I could add to the list. (watch video)
NZFirst Leader Winston Peters, was the only politician who went and spoke to the protestors. One NZFirst MP, I think MP Unkovich, shared in Parliament about the death and injuries caused by the shots. She was ridiculed and jeered openly by other MPs. One National MP was disgusted by this and left the Party, joining NZFirst this time round. No wonder both National and Labour Party ratings are so low.
Act Leader David Seymour understands the MMP system, encouraging members to vote for National in one electorate and Act with their Party vote. This will help more center right politicians get into power. We could suggest MP David Seymour’s own electorate Epsom, and also Tamaki for this strategy.
Rodney Hide suggests, Act members in Epsom vote for National with their electoral vote, and NZFirst or Act with their Party vote. This will ensure more National members getting into Parliament, and will not affect the number of seats for the NZFirst or Act Party. That may be pushing the principles behind the MMP system, but it will ensure more center right politicians getting into Parliament.
I’m concerned for the National Party. They have made too many mistakes and need to change. Let’s keep praying for them.
Share the importance of strategic voting with ten friends, asking them to share with ten friends, and take your friends to vote. For a simple explanation of strategic voting click here
Your election watchers
Love Tim & Faith
Reference:
ALFRED NGARO
NZ First Candidate and Former Cabinet Minister
Trust, Cost of Living and Housing Top Voters’ Concerns
@18mins people are voting because of their values
Maree Buscke speaks with former National MP and NZ First candidate Alfred Ngaro about voter trust, the lingering impact of Covid policies and concerns over proposed social media restrictions and digital ID. Alfred predicts growing support for NZ First, criticises The Opportunity Party’s policy direction and the Greens’ engagement with gangs and warns that escalating political hostility threatens social cohesion.
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