KEY POINTS:
Can a party that "loses" a general election form a government acceptable to New Zealanders? Under MMP itis quite possible though it has nothappened.
The Weekend Herald Voters Panel was asked this week how they would feel if National won more seats than Labour at this election but Labour was able to form a government with the support of smaller parties.
Of the 100 people who answered, respondents, 49 did not find the outcome acceptable and 41 did not mind it, a split that probably reflects the respective parties' support.
But when they were asked whether New Zealanders would see a party that finished second as the rightful government, the verdict was clearcut. Sixty per cent said the country would not, 20 said it would, and 20 were unsure.
Among the reasons they thought it would not be accepted:
"Many New Zealanders would kick up a fuss."
"Voters for the party coming first would feel ripped off."
"I think New Zealanders expect the party gaining the most votes should be able to form the Government, not the second place- getter."
"New Zealanders will be voting for the party they think will be the best to run the country, not a mish-mash of minor parties courted by Labour or National. Although we have MMP most people tend to still think of voting as 'first past the post'."
Even some supporters of MMP believed the predominant view was that the party first past the post had the right to govern.
But others believed the political culture had changed and a Government led by the second-placed party would be accepted.
"New Zealanders are a fair people and they will recognise that under the current system that is a possibility," said one. Others said:
"In the current system the Government is a coalition, which is a true reflection of how the country votes."
"We voted for MMP. I trust that people understood what that meant."
Younger people could more easily accept the possibility that a party finishing second could form the government.
In the 30-44 age bracket more were content with that MMP outcome than were not. But in other groups the opposite view prevailed.
