Alliance moots GE referendum

By VERNON SMALL deputy political editor

The Alliance is considering forcing a citizens-initiated referendum over the commercial release of genetically modified organisms as a direct challenge to Labour's plans to lift the moratorium.

Speaking after the party's executive met to discuss its future, leader Laila Harre said there was concern the Greens were letting the issue drift.

"We don't want to trample on the Greens' leadership of the issue, but we are really surprised that they haven't started organising in that direction."

Alliance branches were discussing whether to start organising a referendum, which would need about 250,000 signatures.

"We may well do that," said Ms Harre, "but it is a big decision because it is a huge exercise."

The outcome of a referendum would not be binding on the Government.

Ms Harre said the party leadership, including president Matt McCarten, remained committed to the Alliance despite winning only 1.27 per cent of the vote at the election and losing all its MPs.

"'Onwards ever' was the general decision."

Asked if she ever felt like giving up, she said: "Never."

Then, after a brief hesitation, she said: "Of course I bloody do. But no, I don't think I will. Empirically, that is unlikely."

Without any of the state funding available to MPs, the Alliance needed to look at how to organise with only volunteers. It would keep only one fulltime paid position - general secretary - but wanted to maintain a national organisation.

Ms Harre said the party would review its policies to give them a more left-wing focus - made easier by the Democrats quitting to join Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition.

The Alliance would attack the Government from the left.

"I hope it creates a level of discomfort in terms of any desire to be identified as a centre-left Government.

"It's not looking much like one to us."

The Alliance would be a party of critical thinkers and lead the ideological debate from the left.

She said Mana Motuhake leader Willie Jackson would resign as Alliance deputy leader to help build a separate Maori party.

Links between the new party and the Alliance would hinge on whether it was a left-wing party or a broad-based pan-Maori party.

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