Dunne sides with Nats

Back it up by leaving now, says Anderton

Last updated 23:38 26/10/2008

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

NATIONAL MAN: United Future leader Peter Dunne has ruled out supporting Labour after the election and announced a deal that would see him serve as a minister in a National-led government.

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UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne is being challenged to relinquish his ministerial warrant and the perks of office after putting his party on a war footing with Labour.

National Party leader John Key has promised Mr Dunne a seat around his cabinet table after the UnitedFuture leader yesterday ruled out supporting a future Labour government.

Prime Minister Helen Clark was unfazed by Mr Dunne's decision to throw his weight behind National while he still holds a warrant as one of her ministers - and made it clear there was a lot of water to go under the bridge yet.

"I remember at the last election Peter Dunne went for coffee with Don Brash, and that didn't stop him becoming a minister in a Labour-led government, so I wouldn't read too much into what happened today."

But Progressive leader Jim Anderton, who is also a minister in Miss Clark's Government, said Mr Dunne should "back up his convictions by leaving the Government now".

"It's not a good look to drive around in a ministerial car saying you want to get rid of the government you are still part of."

Mr Dunne said yesterday he was supporting National because its policies lined up "far better" with his own and would move the country in the right direction.

UnitedFuture had worked constructively with Labour up till now but it would be difficult to make further progress, particularly if any future deal involved the Greens.

But he would not give up his ministerial warrant or the perks that went with it because his post-2005 election deal with Labour did not expire till the next government was formed.

"The signal that would send was that we couldn't be relied upon to carry out our word."

While the election is only 13 days away, recent polls suggest the gap may be narrowing - which could mean negotiations lasting weeks before a new government is agreed upon.

Last night's TVNZ-Colmar Brunton poll had National on 47, against Labour on 35. But the Greens are on 8 per cent and the wild card could be NZ First, if it gets back in.

Mr Dunne will get a seat at the cabinet table if National wins and a safety net in his Ohariu-Belmont seat; Mr Key said the focus of his candidate, Katrina Shanks, would be on the party vote.

Mr Dunne's support is a fillip for National which, despite its big lead over Labour, could struggle to form a government if its support slips much below 45 per cent. But on current polling - less than 1 per cent - UnitedFuture's support may not make much difference to the outcome.

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Mr Key has ruled out NZ First and has also refused to allow ACT founder Sir Roger Douglas into his cabinet, making a deal more difficult.

National was forced to rule him out to counter a Labour scare campaign over the prospect of Sir Roger wielding influence again. Mr Key told TV One's Agenda programme yesterday Sir Roger's prescription was too extreme.

- © Fairfax NZ News