Roy Morgan poll puts Hide ahead
Roy Morgan poll puts Hide ahead
MMP is a system designed to prevent any one party from being in government alone. Parties need a partner to enact their policies.
The next Government will be led by the major party that puts together a coalition with smaller parties - not just the leading major party. If no group can put together a coalition, there will be another election.
But the good news is that ACT will return to Parliament. A poll conducted this Wednesday by Roy Morgan - an independent Australian research firm - shows that I am ahead in Epsom, and will win the seat.
That means every Party Vote for ACT will count, and will help to change the government.
Don Brash understands that National will need a partner in Parliament, which is why he told ACT's Christchurch Regional Conference that "Many of us ... see National and ACT as natural coalition partners".
National will be bringing a lot of new MPs to Parliament. A strong, experienced ACT team will ensure that National has a principled, stable partner to steady Don Brash's hand, guarantee tax cuts and strengthen the new government.
Your Party Vote for ACT will achieve so much:
* ACT will support tax cuts. Tax cuts would be funded from the current surplus, without any reduction in core services.
* ACT will ensure small businesses get a fair go, cutting red tape and substantially reducing compliance costs.
* ACT will address health waiting lists, give parents choice in their children's education, get tough on crime and hold government to account.
The election campaign has almost finished, but there is still much that we can do. Please consider making a donation through our web site - http://www.act.org.nz/donate - so that we can keep campaigning right to the finishing line.
One thing all parties agree on is that this election is crucial for the future of our country. A change of government will only be guaranteed by a strong ACT presence in the next parliament - so, on Saturday, please give ACT your Party Vote.
Rodney Hide MP
Leader, ACT New Zealand