The latest TVNZ Colmar-Brunton political poll released on One News last evening ignored a crucial point says Hon Peter Dunne, leader United New Zealand.

"If the scenario of 42 per cent for both Labour and National was the actual election result and none of the minor parties exceeded the 5 per cent threshold, then there would be 60 seats for National and Labour.

"What the poll didn't say was that if United NZ won Ohariu-Belmont, as is likely, then this seat would represent the balance of power in parliament. Put more bluntly United NZ would determine whether there was a Labour or National government.

"This is surely a crucial point, given United is a centrist party who would work constructively with either Labour or National to ensure stable, common-sense government.

"Given that Ohariu-Belmont is the safest non-Labour seat in the country and the sixth safest in the country then it is entirely conceivable United NZ would be in a position to play a constructive role in forming the next government. With a win in Ohariu-Belmont then all party votes for United NZ would count meaning that there could well be more than one United MP, which further increases the importance of the role United would play.

"Unfortunately this rather simple analysis was left out of the coverage of this poll result," says Mr Dunne.

He says United NZ is prepared to be a constructive player in the political process and New Zealanders deserve to know this.

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