The Opportunity Party is a strange beast.
It chose its leader after seeking expressions of interest through a Seek advertisement.
It professes to be left-wing, but is dependent on large donations from wealthy individuals, at least one of which has links to cryptocurrency. And under its constitution donors have the ability to be appointed to its board.
It professes to want to do politics differently, and has laid out bottom lines, five bottom lines. Christopher Larkson has ruled out dealing with them, but it is noticeable that in the past couple of weeks National has softened its position on some matters, particularly on fishing in the Hauraki Gulf.
Recent events makes me wonder if the Opportunity Party is overtly flirting flaunting with National, and if National is returning the attention.
Opportunity has five bottom lines. Its websites list their bottom lines in these terms:
1. Bring prices down
We finally have cross-party consensus for action on the supermarket duopoly. We’ll turn that talk into action, with a bottom line to empower the Commerce Commission to investigate, intervene and force structural separation of anti-competitive businesses across our entire economy. This bottom-line is a clear signal to big business that anti-competitive behaviour won’t be tolerated anymore – driving fairer prices and immediate relief for New Zealanders.2. Clean up politics
New Zealanders are losing trust in politics. Without that trust, we cannot achieve the lasting change Kiwis expect. To ensure the integrity of our democracy, this bottom line requires a mandatory register and code of conduct for lobbyists, and a cap on donations per donor, from registered voters only.3. Fix the health system
Health is too important to be a political football. Our doctors and nurses deserve better than endless restructures – they deserve a bottom line that establishes a 10-year, cross-party plan for health. Within that plan, we’ll call for the funding increases our healthcare workers need, and more investment in primary and preventative care to stop people from getting sick in the first place.4. Revive ocean health
Our ocean is struggling. Tarakihi is on the brink of extinction and kina barrens are blanketing the Hauraki Gulf. To revive our fish stocks and marine habitats, this bottom line calls for an immediate end to bottom trawling in our most damaged inshore areas (like the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana), before phasing out the practice in stages. Core to this bottom line is working with fishers, quota owners and communities to build a sustainable blue economy to hand to the next generation.5. Restore climate credibility
New Zealand now ranks 44th out of 67 countries for climate action. The next generation needs us to stop kicking the climate can and get on with building the resilient and prosperous New Zealand they deserve to inherit. This bottom line calls for New Zealand to recommit to our Paris Agreement obligations and protect the role of the Climate Change Commission.
The Party claims that these are lines it will not cross. But confusingly its language suggests that the party that shows the most commitment to its bottom lines will get its support. These are not bottom lines. They are an opening negotiating point.
Christopher Luxon has repeatedly ruled out working with Opportunity after the election.
But you get the impression that he’s getting ready to do the flip-flop of all flip-flops if it holds the balance of power then holds the balance of power. Its leader has reached out, and like a battered, jilted lover, has asked for Luxon to pick up the phone. There is a strong sense of desperation in it doing so.
And you have to wonder how a group of untested careerists would handle the rough and tumble of Parliament. They would be eaten alive.
There are obvious links with National. Deputy Leader Daniel Eb is a professed former National member and voter. Reading through the rest of the candidate bios you get the strong impression that this is a middle class grouping of people for who class politics is an anathema. There are some with clearly strong environmental views. Which makes you wonder why they would even consider siding up to National.
Opportunity is playing a dangerous role. In 2011 and 2014 the Greens final result sagged behind after polling really well. Then leader Russell Norman’s public late suggestions that the party could work with National clearly had an effect.
I have said this before but if you want to change the Government do not risk voting for Opportunity. Otherwise you may wake up and realise that Christopher Luxon is still our Prime Minister.
Shouldn't that be 'flirting'.
As Luxon steadily walks the plank of disdaining their unwanted attentions, it does feel a bit like TOP isn't talking to him, and more like they are talking to coup makers inside National.
Oops will correct.
I would agree that Luxon's days are numbered, regardless of whether he manages to pull together a coalition or not.
Exactly. Luxon has ruled out Opportunity. National have not. The next leader will have no problem doing (or more likely, continuing with) a post-election deal. Needs must.
I think TOP is talking to (Right & centre-Right) voters mostly, and trying to persuade them to disbelieve Luxon and vote TOP. Luxon is trying to persuade those voters that a vote for TOP is a vote for the Opposition and vote National instead.
Winston Peters may insist on including a Coup Clause in a Coalition Agreement with National, i.e., when Luxon gets rolled/pushed, Winston will automatically become PM. I pray with Luxon that we will never find ourselves in this situation; Luxon’s said that he’d take all the prayers he can get.
The opportunity party doesn't profess to be left wing for ten years it has said over and over again it is a party of the radical center.
It is basing it's campaign on the teal independents in Australia, it has never said anything to suggest it wouldn't work with labour or national.
The reason TOP say in every interview they are willing to working with national and labour is because they want national and labour votes!
If they say they aren't going to work with either side they will lose that sides votes, they are getting blue green votes labour and the greens could never get as well as labour voters who want more than the slop labour is offering.
The leader is phenomenal, perhaps Labour and National should advertise on seek for their next leaders, because there's not much talent in either caucus!
After Qs amazing performance at the Tuesday "minor" party debates there is no doubt Top will increase their vote and be around 8-10% and no party will be able to form a govt without them
The constant scare mongering about top says more about the people attacking top than it does about top, top have never hid what they are, they have never said they won't work with national or labour.
They are not a Trojan horse they are a party of the radical anti neoliberal reformist center it's dishonest to argue they have ever labeled themselves as anything but centerist when since inception it's been a party of the radical center.
Top are probably to the left of labour because labour is a party of the neoliberal center right like national! Both love billionaires, corporations and propagandize against wealth taxes
But just because labour and national are center right parties doesn't make top a left wing party it's a centerist party labour is just more right wing than top.
Regardless, this is counterproductive any party that can potentially take votes off this govt and can potentially work with the opposition parties is not an enemy, every vote top gets from national is a vote national doesn't get.
You can't form a govt without top. They can't form a govt without top.
Instead of complaining about top labour should be announcing policies and winning over votes, labour can't because they are a party of the center right neoliberal consensus
They have always looked like a party who will give us another 3 years of the same to me. I do hope I am wrong about that.
This ongoing posturing reflects greens good numbers IMHO as they try to sway voters over.
Lab/greens to ensure the wrecking crew are gone.
I'd be ok with it just to see Winstons reaction 🙂
Where has OP said it is left wing? I've never seen them say that. Wong has been pains to say they are centrist and not partisan.