Key: Largest party should hold reins
Sir John Key may describe himself as little more than an interested observer, but the former prime minister has been talking to his successor during the post-election period.
Key said it was only natural given his longstanding relationship with caretaker Prime Minister Bill English but refused to confirm whether he had offered any advice on coalition negotiations.
‘‘It’s natural I had a discussion with him, and we’ll probably leave it about there,’’ he said, speaking at the opening of the new Trading Room at the University of Canterbury yesterday.
The former trader said there had to be a willing buyer and a willing seller in the process of forming a government.
While he wanted National to be part of the next government, he would not say which of the two major parties he thought NZ First would support.
NZ First leader Winston Peters has been criticised for not sticking to his self-imposed deadline of last Thursday to reveal what parties he would work with.
But Key seemingly defended the extension by pointing out the complexity of coalition negotiations.
‘‘Ultimately, whatever make up it is, the future government will be judged on its performance probably more than the time it’s taken to put together,’’ he said.
‘‘This is MMP, it’s a reality of the way it works, it’s not always pretty but, in the end, it’s delivered governments for New Zealand.’’
Key said it had been his view that the largest party should form a government. ‘‘That’s been my view but constitutionally that doesn’t hold any water.’’