D-Day has arrived for big reveal
A new government will be announced this afternoon when NZ First declares the result of its negotiations with National and Labour.
NZ First leader Winston Peters has spoken to both Bill English and Jacinda Ardern and, among other things, he has told them he will make his decision today.
Peters did not front media yesterday – it is understood he left the building by a back entrance after an all-day meeting with his caucus wrapped up.
National, Labour and the Greens now need to consult their caucus and in the Green Party’s case, 150 party delegates, to sign off any agreement before Peters reveals his government of choice.
While Green Party leader James Shaw said they would not hold a teleconference with their delegates last night, the decision not to do so was made midafternoon before Peters announced his plans.
Earlier yesterday Peters had said he was ’’sort of confident’’ of making a decision by the end of the week.
Meanwhile, a former National minister and friend of Peters yesterday said the NZ First leader was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
‘‘He’s damned if he does, and damned if he doesn’t,’’ Paul East said.
East was part of Jim Bolger’s National Government and held the portfolios of defence minister and attorney-general.
He has also been a long-time friend of Peters.
They entered Parliament together in the 1970s and flatted together in the early days.
East has been in touch with Peters throughout the negotiations process and said the last time he spoke to his old friend was five days ago.
‘‘He was pretty happy ... he is tired, he’s working very hard.’’
East said he did not know which way Peters would go.
‘‘My heart says National but my head says Labour.’’
If Peters’ priority was creating a legacy, Labour would be the way to go.
A government with the Left would also likely mean Peters would have more say at the top table.
However, his party and supporters were more conservative and would likely want to see him go with National.
Therefore, a deal with Labour could lose him the support of his troops.
Whichever way Peters went , he would not be sitting on the crossbenches, East said.
Yesterday former NZ First MP Richard Prosser said if Peters got what he wanted out of a coalition deal, this could be his last term.
And Prosser already had ideas about who could take on the top job. There could be ‘‘conflict’’ over whether deputy Ron Mark or MP Shane Jones took over, he said.
Tracey Martin could be in the mix, as she was ‘‘very ambitious’’.
The ex-MP echoed East’s sentiments around legacy.
‘‘Hopping into bed with National at this stage probably doesn’t look good after 2020,’’ Prosser said. In terms of longevity, ‘‘Labour is probably a better choice’’.
And NZ First MPs said yesterday morning that a decision was close.
Discussions were now at the ‘‘business end’’.
Peters met with his caucus on yesterday morning, following two days of joint meetings with his board and caucus.