section 59 debate

It is well known that Labour is not allowing a conscience vote on the smacking bill. What is not so well known is the number of Labour MPs don't want to vote for the Bill, but are being whipped into shape - and half them are electorate MPs who want to represent their electorate and the conscience of the people who elected them into Parliament. National MP Chester Burrows refused to name at least six MPs on Morning Report today but I understand that the electorate ones are Harry Dynhoven, Damien O'Connor, George Hawkins, and Mahara Okeroa.

Dover Samuels is not happy about being whipped either.

Were Labour to allow a conscience vote, the bill will be dead. Instead, it will probably pass next month, and there will be just one person who is responsible for passing this bill: Its not Sue Bradford, its Helen Clark.