Media Statement

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Monday, 14 March 2011

Dunne: ACT’s attack on middle class ‘huge wake-up call’

ACT’s attacks on middle class voters as the reason why National has not pursued a more right wing agenda are both “scary” and a “huge wake-up call”, UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne said today.

Mr Dunne says middle class voters with their mixture of pragmatism and compassion are the solid, uncomplaining centre of New Zealand politics.

“They will view ACT’s posturing with alarm and fear.

“They do not want to see a second term National government forced to lurch to the right – if anything, they want to see the government show a little more compassion for those less well-off.

“They are certainly not in favour of mining on the conservation estate, and would be very dubious about an open-caste mine at Pike River.

“A National-led government beholden to ACT and its far right ideologues would be an unwelcome step backwards to the Richardson era as far as middle New Zealand is concerned,” he said.

Mr Dunne said UnitedFuture’s mix of realistic economic policies, matched by social compassion is far more in line with the aspirations and values of middle class New Zealanders.

“Rather than sneer at these people as part of the problem, UnitedFuture understands that middle class New Zealanders are the core of our society – the people who run the school boards, the sports clubs and all the local organisations – and are the people we should be encouraging, not attacking the way ACT has.

“The message is clear: middle class New Zealanders wanting a continuation of the National-led, but without unbridled power, have a champion in UnitedFuture, which will ensure their interests and views are at the forefront the government’s focus and agenda,” Mr Dunne said.

A podcast of Mr Dunne talking about ACT’s conference position can be found at http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/peter-dunne-on-act-conference-2011/

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