IWK

Labour and Greens sign historic agreement to change the government

Written by IWK Bureau | Jun 3, 2016 3:38:17 PM

The Labour Party and the Green Party have signed a historic agreement to work cooperatively to change the government.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the parties commits them to working cooperatively to change the government including closer work at parliament and a possible joint policy announcement or campaign.

“We are sending a clear signal to New Zealanders who want a new and better government that Labour and the Greens will work together to deliver that,” said Labour Party leader Andrew Little.

“It is our intent to build on this agreement to offer New Zealanders the basis of a stable, credible and progressive alternative government at the 2017 General Election.

“The MOU is a fresh start and a sign of newfound strength in our relationship and our mutual commitment to changing the government.

“When I was elected Labour leader I made it clear that we would not go into another election without strong cooperation with like-minded parties to change the government. Today, I am delivering on that promise.

“A new Labour-led government will focus on the critical issues facing our country. We will provide better housing, health and education and a cleaner environment while building a sustainable economy with decent jobs,” said Andrew Little.

It is not a coalition agreement because it ends on election night. However, the MoU is a brilliant move because there were perceptions of tensions between Labour and the Greens in the lead up to the last election. Voters who wanted a change in government did not believe that there was a credible alternative on the Left for various reasons including the perceived tensions. The MoU between these two parties sends a strong message that there is a united, credible and viable alternative government-in-waiting.

Both parties have renewed leadership and the relationship between the two is strong. In an MMP environment, we have to work together strategically to change the government’s agenda. The MoU is a strong indication of the level of cooperation and political maturity of both parties. It is not a coalition agreement or a merger. Labour and the Greens remain two distinct parties with different histories, viewpoints and ideas. Labour and the Greens may still disagree on specific policies at times, and that is healthy in an MMP environment. The MoU means that we will stand together to hold the government to account in the lead up to the 2017 General Election.

Andrew Little has also made it clear that this is not necessarily a monogamous relationship. Nobody knows what Winston Peters will want to do come election time, but this MoU doesn’t prevent Labour from working with any other party. So far Winston Peters has not vetoed working with either party, and I feel his anti-Greens rhetoric has toned down considerably. Also, a number of New Zealand First activists have openly held the opinion, on social media, that the MoU is beneficial if NZF is serious about wanting to change the government.

As Labour celebrates its centenary this year, we hold on to our values and our proud political history. We will enter into the election year with confidence knowing that we have provided a level of transparency that voters have been asking for and that we continue to stand for the values and principles we have always stood for—social justice, equity, equality of opportunity and outcomes. We have always advocated for wealth distribution that benefits all people and not just those at the top of the socio-economic ladder. Voters can rest assured that the MoU will not change any of that. It’s not about us moving away from what we stand for; it’s an official announcement of cooperation to change the government.

“New Zealanders who want a better future now have crystal clear clarity about what they are getting with their vote, we are a vote for change,” said Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei.

“It is time for a government that puts the wellbeing of people and the environment at the centre of everything it does,”she said.