Helen Clark: Realistic way to govern

MMP was promoted by its advocates as electoral reform which would deliver fairer representation. In practice it has changed far more than the electoral system.

MMP has brought about fundamental changes to New Zealand's system of government and to Parliament. Gone are the days when a small group within the Cabinet of a governing party could drive through radical change virtually unimpeded.

Under MMP, no single party has won an overall majority.

Successful governing parties under MMP are those which are able to work collaboratively with others, and develop consensus and build majorities around legislation. There can be no "winner takes all" approach under MMP, precisely because no one is likely to win an overall majority.

That also has implications for the running of Parliament's workhorses, the select committees. In the past, the government of the day appointed its MPs to chair all select committees. Now the practice is to share the chairs around the parties.

As well, the committees' memberships are diverse, and not necessarily reflective of the majority in Parliament itself when considering pieces of legislation. That makes for less predictable outcomes from the select committee process.

A fear expressed about MMP, which I shared before its introduction, was that it would lead to weak and unstable governments. While MMP's first term was rocky, from then on I believe Labour in Government has been able to develop both strong and stable Government.

Each term in Government we have had different confidence and supply arrangements and partners. Each term we have learned more about working with smaller parties prepared to contribute to the governmental process.

For the smaller parties working with Government, brand differentiation and policy delivery is critical to avoid being swamped by the larger party's brand and presence.

Overall I have been impressed by the willingness of smaller parties to play a constructive role in finding solutions to policy questions and in developing legislation which can be supported by a majority in Parliament.

What MMP has delivered is more open and transparent government processes and a Parliament which does air a wider range of views.

I believe this is an improvement on the crude majority politics of the past. It is a more difficult and complex system in which to work, but, with goodwill, it does work.

Labour in Government has had a pivotal role in shaping the development of MMP politics. I am satisfied with the way the system is operating and would not vote to change it.