WWWD - What will Winston do?

For the first time in our political history, the Government will be decided on a decision made by an MP that is not an electorate MP. Winston Peters is the kingmaker, but will he be part of the crown?. That's the biggest question. It appears Winston has more chance of being in power through Labour although it also appears he`d go with National if he got a better offer, even if Act was in Government.

Remember, prior to the election, Winston said he would not go into Government with Act or the Greens, and also said he would be on the cross benches. The Greens hate this. The Greens have no leverage against NZ First, and Labour needs the Greens for at least confidence and supply to have a workable Government. Imagine what the left would say if Winston was a Minister and the Greens were in government without ministerial responsibility. Labour's support will dive.

Will Winston go into Goverment with National if Act was to be a coalition partner? That depends whether Winston despises the Greens more than Act and likes National more than Labour. Then there's the small problem of Maori party voters wanting the Maori party to support Labour, but not its Foreshore and Seabed Act. National can shelve its policy to remove the Maori seats but can't repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act in its entirety as Winston wont allow it as he is a signatory. The Maori Party wants the Maori seats retained.

If Winston sticks to his pre-election position of staying on the cross benches and not being in Government with Act or the Greens there is only one possible outcome for stable government and that is another election and a fresh round of pre-election pledges.

The alternative is an unworkable Labour minority government that would be the most hamstrung in our political history, with NZ First proppng up the Government on confidence and supply. If they prop it up on atstentions unless there is a threat to the Government, NZ First is history. We elect MPs to vote, and that includes list MP's. We don't want a whole party of Choudhary's in Parliament.

Any chance of a grand coalition to avoid an election, or will Winston renege on his promises and decide which government he wants to support as a minister before he retires and his party declines into electoral oblivion.