Dunne calls Labour-Greens coalition 'recipe for lunacy'

Peter Dunne

United Future has warned the Prime Minister that it is extremely reluctant to support any post-election deal that results in the Greens becoming a coalition partner in the next Government.

The declaration by United Future leader Peter Dunne at the official launch of his party's campaign on Saturday could frustrate the Greens' desire to be a partner in Government with Labour if they do not win enough seats combined to secure a majority alone in the next Parliament.

Mr Dunne described a Labour-Greens government as a "a recipe for lunacy and disaster" and ruled out any prospect of his party joining such a government. However, he added that it was "highly unlikely" United Future would agree to the back-up option of propping up a Labour-Greens coalition by offering support on confidence and supply.

The prospect of Labour and the Greens working together in a formal coalition has intensified after Helen Clark and Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons spent a day together on the campaign trail in a symbolic display of unity.

However, polling indicates Labour and the Greens might not win enough seats to be able to form a Government and would have to seek help from United Future or the Maori Party.

The polls also suggest that United Future, which wants to be in a formal coalition next time, will likewise not win enough seats for it and Labour to rule without assistance from the Greens, NZ First or the Maori Party.

The cosying up between Labour and the Greens will have been viewed with some annoyance by United Future, which is struggling to make an impact on voters in this election.

For the past three years, United Future's MPs backed the minority Labour-Progressive Government through a formal agreement on confidence in order to shut the Greens out of the Beehive.

Labour would probably continue to govern in the minority if United Future and the Greens could not agree to co-operate with one another.

"I think when the Labour Party looks at it in the cold light of day, they would be very uncomfortable being portrayed as the only way they could govern is with the support of the Greens and the Progressives," Mr Dunne said, referring to the Clark-Fitzsimons show of reconciliation.

"I find it rather bizarre that Labour would want to put itself in a position of allowing that view to be promoted."

Asked if he would take up any invitation for a similar photo-opportunity with the Prime Minister, Mr Dunne said: "We will see what might arise."

In his speech to about 150 party members and supporters, he warned both Labour and National not to take United Future's support for granted in post-election negotiations.