Your editorial “Closing in on deal to form next government” strongly emphasised the power that NZ First has in negotiations to achieve where they want to sit in the new government. That position of power is potentially even stronger when we consider Mary-Ann de Kort’s letter also published on Saturday, “Unlikely scenario, but . . .”
If Christopher Luxon will not deliver what Winston Peters wants in the coalition negotiations, he could walk away in the direction of Chris Hipkins and Labour, who would surely give him and NZ First almost everything they wanted in a deal to pull Labour back out of the political wilderness.
You don’t think so?
Consider how Chris Hipkins has said that in going forward, all pre-election positions are now wiped away and the party begins again with a “clean slate”. If totally opening up to any demands from Winston was a straw to be clutched at, I wonder what Labour and its potential coalition partners would say . . . I think they would scream , “Yes! Grab that straw and hang on with both hands!”
Dennis Pennefather
