January 10, 2017
Peters planning for early election
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters wants to have candidates in place in case new Prime Minister Bill English calls an early election.
He says Mr English’s hand is likely to be forced by growing economic pressures but he will hold off calling an election until the next Budget is delivered.
Mr Peters says until now, New Zealand First has focused on building up its election machine around the country but it will start confirming candidate's soon.
He says the ideal candidate is someone who understands what the party stands for, has a commitment to their community and understands the problems of ordinary New Zealanders.
He says in the past people have used New Zealand First to get into parliament and then gone their own way but that will never happen again.
New Zealand First lost a number of MPs in its first post-MMP parliament, including several of those holding Maori seats after its coalition with National fell apart.
In 2012 Mr Peters dumped Brendan Horan from his caucus after allegations were made about the former television weatherman’s handling of his mother’s bank account.
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