Douglas blasts Act's mucky antics

Roger Douglas

Act founder Sir Roger Douglas last night delivered a stinging appraisal of the party's direction and leadership, saying it was too driven by scandal-mongering and had lost its identity.

The party suffered its worst result at last year's election, crashing from nine MPs to just two and would have been wiped out entirely if leader Rodney Hide had not won his Epsom seat.

Speaking to the Herald On Sunday, Sir Roger said: "It's not a personality thing. I like Rodney's company."

However, Act's image was that it was driven by scandals, "and that's an image we need to get rid of," he said.

"The issues [Hide] has raised are issues that should be raised, but I think that's the role of a major party, like National, not Act."

Mr Hide is expected to come under fire for his image as a muck-raker when he addresses the party's annual conference this morning. When Mr Hide gained the leadership of Act in mid-2004 he pledged to trade his perk-busting image for a more statesman-like demeanour.

Speaking yesterday on TVNZ's Agenda, Mr Hide said Opposition MPs had to hold the Government to account.

"I know Helen Clark hates it, I know she calls it muckraking. But I tell you what, it'd be a sad day for New Zealand if this government could get away with any old thing."

In speech notes given to the Herald on Sunday before the conference (see link below), Sir Roger said:

The leadership, in Parliament and the Board, was "failing to deliver adequately".

"Act currently fails to communicate any vision people can relate to."

The party should "never again compromise our beliefs in search of short-term populism".

The board of the party had been "divided and relatively ineffective".

Act had to change how it engaged in political debate to avoid being seen as "smart-arse".

Sir Roger also slammed MPs and party members for "rushing off on uncoordinated solo missions in quest of personal glory".

"The fastest way to political suicide is to come across as a party whose members put personal ambition ahead of the common good."

The former finance minister, who presided over economic reforms as part of David Lange's Labour Government, said it was the task of newly-elected president Garry Mallett and vice-president Trevor Louden to prevent Act heading for "oblivion" when its leader stood down.

Former Act MPs and candidates such as Muriel Newman, Stephen Franks and Graham Scott should be encouraged to contribute to the party and not allowed to "sit on the sidelines and rot" he said.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY