Francesca Rudkin: Insight from the minor parties debate

So on Tuesday evening I was quite excited about the first Leaders Debate.  

It was a funny old evening. I thought Jessica Mutch McKay did a good job moving things along but the two Chris’s energy wanned, and so did mine. It wasn’t a dynamic debate.   

There wasn’t actually a lot of debate.   

So, after a solid, but slightly disappointing Leaders Debate, I then turned my attention to the Newshub Nation Powerbrokers' Debate featuring Minor party leaders, which took place last night on Three. Surely this was going to be more entertaining? It did after all feature David Seymour, who put in a sharp and humorous performance at the ASB Great Debate last week in Queenstown. And it was set in a pub.   

Joining him was New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.   

Rebecca Wright was the moderator and she did a commendable job keeping this lot under control, although it was a challenge and there was plenty of spirited bickering. 

They covered off race issues, tax reform, law and order, and coalition plans. If you are a politics’ nerd, you probably didn’t learn anything new from the candidates, with each repeating their party’s already known policies.   

For others though, this debate likely provided more exposure to the minor parties and some clarity on their values and a few of their policies.   

Performance wise Marama and Debbie managed to get their messages across crisply and put on a good double act. Marama in particular was ‘on’ and didn’t take any nonsense.   

David Seymour and Winston Peters in contrast tended to ramble and didn’t always deliver a clear message.   

But there was plenty of fun as well. Especially when Rebecca Wright asked each party for their bottom lines in possible coalition negotiations. While Greens and Te Pati Maori spoke simply —wealth tax and poverty— Winston Peters and David Seymour put on a show over whether they could work together that gave you a glimpse of what Luxon may have to deal with...   

Firemen and adults with trousers on is what to expect folks! Rebecca Wright probably summed that up well when she said, I’m beginning to pity Christopher Luxon.   

So what do you think? Can they work together? Of course they will if they have to right - but it might be like herding cats.   

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