Saturday 27 September 2008

Alliance Calls For Boycott

Alliance Party co leader Kay Murray says the New Zealand public should boycott the televised leaders debates if only Helen Clark and John Key take part.

Ms Murray says it is outrageous that John Key and Helen Clark have "formed a coalition" and refused to allow the other political parties contesting the 2008 election to debate with them.

"It is an insult to the people of New Zealand and an affront to democracy in this country."

She says that the arrogance displayed by both leaders that they are the only two candidates for Prime Minister was stunning.

"Do we live in a democracy or a two party dictatorship?"

“Contrary to what Mr Key and Ms Clark believe, the election is not about them, it is about letting the people of New Zealand decide which parties have the policies to lead the country in the direction they want it to go."

They simply represent two of the parties contesting the election.

"For example, National and Labour have the same policy on free trade. They both support student loans and student debt. They both support unfair taxes like GST. They both are funded by wealthy private interests. So on vital issues, there is no debate."

Ms Murray says this election is too important to the future of New Zealand be decided on personalities.

"Whether Helen is smarter than John, John looks better than Helen, who tells the best jokes, who is the more convincing liar, who remembers their lines best, all the things that we will find out in a leaders debate between the two self-appointed rulers, is totally irrelevant."

She says the people of New Zealand are entitled to have the opportunity to hear the policies of all political parties whether National and Labour like it or not.

"In all likelihood neither Key or Clark will be given enough votes to govern alone, as much as they would like to. The voters need to see the other parties and hear their policies to make an informed decision when they go to the polls on the 8th of November."

Ms Murray urges the public not to stand for this nonsense.

"Our self-appointed rulers need to be put in their place. If they won’t listen to reason, we should exercise one democratic right we still have and change the channel when the leaders debates are screened.”

ENDS

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