It is not good form to go into details of discussions that happen “behind the speakers chair” between leaders of the house and their shadow or between whips.
But what is very obvious is that the Nats are very very scared of having a question time today. We are under urgency debating ACC legislation. We know that in the end we will lose and all we can do in debate and delay. But that has its limits and what normally happens is that a deal is done – questions in and a limit to the length of the debate.
There was a fair deal on the table for the Nats but they have run away from it.
So what are they scared of. Key or English on the differing views on GST. The housing question to credit card Heatley which goes to his priorities for government expenditure. Or Anne Tolley showing her ignorance of her own standards policy again.
But whatever it is they make chickens look courageous.
