OPINION
Under David Seymour, the ACT party has grown to a realistic representation in our parliament, yet at the same time has become a shadow of its former highly principled and innovative self. With so much discussion rattling around the political echo chamber about the so called ‘wasted vote’ under MMP, one can’t help wondering how ACT supporters are currently thinking about political principle and whether rat-swallowing is high on the agenda for the many of us desperate for a change of government.
Just like the National Party, ACT seems to have drifted away from its founding principles of personal responsibility, smaller, less intrusive government and individual freedom. Certainly, they keep talking the talk, but given the opportunity to walk the walk during the Wellington protest, Seymour did nothing and ensured his MPs fell into lockstep, too. Given the opportunity to shine for personal freedom, for democracy, for principle, for ethics, for our Bill of Rights, ACT, like the entire 120, chose the party line and the tyrannical decisions and actions of the worst government in New Zealand’s history. Not a word against anything. Not a suggestion of sympathy or understanding. Not even the slightest attempt to be a strong, democratic opposition standing up for its constituency.
The actions (or total inaction) from our entire 120 strong parliamentary assemblage, emerged as perhaps the single most indicative confirmation of how poorly served we are by our so-called representatives. To a man and woman (and whatever they may identify as in between), they chose to support the repeatedly, indisputably proven, totally inept government rather than represent the people for whom they work and by whom they are paid. Worse still, they became willing allies and backed the never ending propaganda campaign without question.
If nothing else, the Wellington protest showed us what all our so-called representatives actually stand for and what value they place on truth, honesty, fairness, credibility and integrity.
Having become accustomed over many years to being the party leader and its only member of parliament, Seymour has naturally morphed into a bit of a one-man band and ACT might as well be called the Seymour party, because he actually is the party.
Ask people: How many MPs does ACT currently have? Hardly anybody knows. Ask who the ACT MPs in parliament are? Hardly anybody can get past David Seymour. A few occasionally mention that there’s ‘that attractive young woman’ and the closest most can come to naming her is to say she has an unusual sounding name – ‘you know, van-something’.
Being leader and party for so many years leads to a false sense of security. Leading yourself around is vastly different from leading a group around and, with the addition of a group, becoming a little arrogant and a bit of a control freak is perhaps almost inevitable.
What level of arrogance and self-belief does it take to publicly rule out working with NZ First? Who do these people really think they are to rule out who they will or won’t work with? How ludicrous is it that after all the years he’s spent in parliament, Seymour has forgotten who he works for and that, actually, democracy means he’ll work with whomever we (his employers) dish him up to work with. It’s not your call David. This is foolish and politically naïve behaviour.
Given the significance of tactical voting under MMP, one can also but wonder what ACT might have been thinking when they decided to stand Brooke van Velden against Simon O’Connor in Tamaki. A safe National seat, where O’Connor has a substantial majority, and ACT, knowing that the entire electorate is clamouring for a change of government, makes a tactical decision to split the vote on the right. Arrogance? Stupidity? Ineptitude? What is the point of the exercise?
Many a politician has rued the day they failed to stick to their knitting. This election still has the potential to throw up some odd curve balls and the electorate is certain about only one thing: they want a change of government.
How they’ll see fit to achieve that will still depend on whether or not they’re willing to hold their noses and swallow a rat and how angry they are about the tyranny that all 120 existing MPs were complicit in.
Is it still a wasted vote if it clearly states ‘no thanks – we don’t want any of you’?
As a final thought, I share this with you, a political viewpoint worthy of our attention: a reminder that politicians all over the world are elected by the people to serve the people – not some other personal agenda. Could we please have more like her: MEP Christine Anderson.