Matt McCarten: Moves to oust firebrand will end in farce

Hone Harawira, left, makes Tariana Turia and colleagues look like National apologists. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Tariana Turia must feel her relationship with Hone Harawira is a bit like Henry II's rocky one with Archbishop Thomas Becket.

Henry's fateful words "who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" inadvertently led to Becket's murder and blackened Henry's name for all time.

The Maori Party caucus is once again trying to expel Te Tai Tokerau's Harawira for saying what he thinks.

The last time they tried, it ended in farce. This time, they have contracted legal hitwoman Mai Chen to manage the eradication.

Chen doesn't come cheap so it would be interesting to know who is paying her bill.

Tragically, it's much ado about nothing, as it was last time they tried.

Harawira's crime is that he believes his party should fight harder and he feels they are compromised by complying too often with the needs of the National Government rather than the priorities of the people who elected them as an independent voice for Maori.

I think Harawira's colleagues' reaction has more to do with the fact many Maori Party members and supporters believe Harawira is correct.

Consequently, he makes them look like apologists for National and he looks like the defender of party principles.

The proposed changes by National to the status of Maori seabed and foreshore rights have riled Harawira; he is effectively leading Maori opposition to it nationwide.

This is no surprise given the Maori Party was formed in opposition to the previous Labour government's attempt at the same thing.

National's amendments are an improvement but still don't resolve the contentious issue of Maori rights.

There's a strong case for the Maori Party to hold firm to their original position or, at the least, encourage Harawira to campaign against it in the hope of winning a few more concessions in the back rooms.

It is unfortunate that any political dissent is seen as something to be quashed.

Take away the hoopla and the situation is simple. Harawira's concern about his party being dominated by the larger party in government is something NZ First, the Alliance and Act have all wrestled with.

It will always be a legitimate concern in any coalition arrangements.

Suppressing discussion in or out of the party is counterproductive.

In an election year, the smart tactic for any small party is to start defining their differences with other parties, including their coalition partners.

Trying to expel Harawira now for doing just that is political madness.

Despite Chen's claim, there are no grounds for a party to expel a member because they write opinion pieces in newspapers.

Anyone who has read Harawira's comments can see they were considered and arguable, whether you agree with him or not. No court will uphold an expulsion on the evidence.

In the 1980s, the Labour Party couldn't get rid of Jim Anderton because they didn't like what he said.

The same went for National and Winston Peters. When these men split with their parties it was by their resignation, not expulsion.

The Maori Party political strategy this year should be to be seen to be able to coalesce with either National or Labour.

Expelling Harawira will reinforce that growing perception that the Maori Party has become the plaything of John Key.

Cynics are muttering the real push for Harawira's execution is coming from National.

Whatever the truth, it will end in tears if the party leadership tries to expel Harawira in election year.

Does anyone really believe Harawira and his supporters will just roll over and retire from battle? Harawira will win Te Tai Tokerau, no matter what.

But think about this: what if his supporters run alternative candidates in the other Maori seats?

In a three-way contest and counting a resurgent Labour Party, there's a real likelihood that Turia may be the only Maori Party MP left after the general election. How bizarre that would be.

Political maturity means accepting MPs will have different opinions.

A party having a considered discussion about itself is democratic and can make it more popular.

Trying to crush alternative perspectives will have the opposite effect.