minor party positioning

United Future Leader Peter Dunne says he is equally happy working with National as he is with Labour, provided he can promote his policies. And he should know, after all he is the only person who has been a cabinet minister in a Labour led and a National Government.

Winston Peters, on the other hand is also happy with working equally with National as with Labour. He announced today that he doesn't want to be in coalition with either. So where does that leave United Future and NZ First? Could it be that United Future is positioning itself to be in coalition and NZ First is positioning itself to get a confidence and supply agreement. Even if NZ First did get such an agreement, it is no guarantee that both confidence and supply would be agreed unless there is a threat that the Government could be brought down.

Trouble is, that NZ First supporters still don’t know who the party is likely to back, although, like Dunne, Winston is likely to talk to the highest polling party first - after Dunne has had his chat. If that party is Labour, things will be very interesting. Labour's favoured party is the Greens, but that free trade agreement with China is a sticking point.

Perhaps the Nats and United Future will get more support now that the threat of NZ First around the Cabinet table is gone. Peter Dunne and Winston Peters could swap roles - but this time Peter as kingmaker and Winston as propping up the Government with confidence and supply - provided that NZ First voters stick with the party and don't return to National, Labour and United Future..

United Future has never polled so high before an election as it is now. Peter Dunne may well pitch for NZ First votes the same as he is doing for ACT.