While MMP is one of the more representative electoral systems in the world, it does tend to have its fair share of problems when it comes to forming a government.
It seems odd that a party with just four MPs could hold the balance of power in the House, but that appears to be the case with reports National is wooing the Maori Party's four Representatives. And here I thought National formally conceded the election to Labour just last week.
This writer does not believe for a minute that National thinks they can mold the disparate groups in Parliament and form a working government. What this writer does believe is that they're taking the opportunity to disrupt the coalition process by making conciliatory noises to a minor party that wants some major concessions.
National should not try to appear as too mischievious in all of this: there is the not so small matter of their Tauranga MP, Bob Clarkson, facing allegations that he exceeded his campaign budget when standing for Tauranga. If you think that is a minor issue, think again: MPs have had their seats stripped in the past for similar misdemeanors.
There's still some time left to run on this merry-go-round.
Link.
