I’m getting used to Nikki Kaye swanning around projecting concern and empathy with the opponents of her Government’s policies whether it is the more egregious elements of the Auckland super city, resource management clawbacks, or cuts to night classes. But seeing no fewer than four National Government backbenchers turn up to the 350 Aotearoa action on climate change on the steps of Parliament today was beyond the pale.
Have these people no shame? Earth to Cam Calder, Tim McIndoe, Nicky Wagner and Nikki Kaye – You are Government MPs. You are elected representatives of a party in the process of gutting the Emissions Trading Scheme and taking a risible emissions reduction target to Copenhagen. You are going to be required very shortly to vote for Nick Smith’s sordid little emissions trading bill.
I know that the organisers of the 350 action want to have a showing of cross party support. And good on them. But for heaven’s sake, show some backbone and stand by your own Government’s policy.
I personally think it’s alright to not agree 100% with what your party does and openly state that, our Parliamentary system means that many Parliamentarians have to vote with legislation they don’t agree with…
The alternative is the American system where each legislator is free from bloc party voting and the lobbyists and their money get in and strategic campaign donations to enough congress persons means the process is corrupted and doesn’t reflect the will of the people…
Jeremy, they’ve done nothing to suggest they disagree with their party, they’ve just shown up to ’show their concern’.
And in the American system Democrats and Republicans do vote against their own party when they disagree. If Nikki Kaye and her National buddies are willing to do that I’ll have some respect for them – but they won’t.
Who knows what these MPs think? But you can be sure that National wanted the facetime.
Backbone? Come on, Labour’s bow-before-the-mighty-leader mentality didn’t exactly work did it? I mean, where’s the leadership now? Any experienced politician with a real backbone got stripped away.
You’re going to have to fight harder than that for Auckland Central.
I see that you all had to recite this pledge. “As Members of Parliament, we will work together, inspiring innovative solutions to address climate change now and for our children’s children.”
Kind of hypocritical for the National MPs given how National treated Labour over the ETS recently. Their behaviour there was hardly ‘working together’ or innovative.
Thanks Tom, their presence alone is enough to show they are disagreeing in principle… Secondly re-read my initial post, I refer to how American politicans are free to vote against their party and how in their system that has flaws…
Jeremy – agreed. They can’t ’show their concern’ and still vote for policies that are in direct contrast to what a group like 350 are trying to do. Have any of these MPs come out against National’s plans to mine or develop conservation/DOC land? If not, why not since thsoe plans alone are seriously jeopardising the future NZ we leave the next generation(s).
[off thread - Phil]
@Tigger, I’m pretty sure you’re disagreeing with me there, maybe I’m not being clear… I think it’s perfectly fine to disagree with legislation publicly and then be forced to vote for it due to the nature of our bloc party voting in NZ… I support bloc party voting as I think the alternative is more open to corruption as evidenced by the American system…
A good example is the Foreshore and Seabed Act, both Nanaia Mahuta and Tariana Turia were against this Act, Mahuta made it pretty clear and I’m sure voiced her case strongly in caucus but said I’m part of a team and if I can’t change their minds I have to vote for it (she has been proven correct methinks), Turia couldn’t accept that and left to form a new party, returning to Parliament… I have respect for both and think it is a sign of the health of our system…