Wow...I'm impressed

I have to admit that I am somewhat impressed by the Maori Party's latest election position and the scrapping of the Dole. Its a policy after my own thinking. The sad thing about it is that it will not be easily kept being in a minority position, even that of a power keeper. Which major party is going to sign up to a coalition agreement which says we'll look at scrapping the dole.

I also don't think the Maori Party, while they may be in a position to be a power maker, it will be difficult for them to swing one of the Majors around. Ironically, it may be the old friends of Labour being the only ones with any gumpsion to listen to the idea, but it will not go any further than that.

In order for the Maori party to have any major party concessions to policy direction they will have to win their current share of seats and dethrone the incumbent Maori Seat MP's from Labour. While I think they have made some head way and could possibly make a gain on their current posting of 4 seats to possibly one more or two more, this will give them as much pull as the Greens and the balance of power is there between those two parties.

I'm impressed by their position, but its going to be interesting to see how much influence they will have post election.