Comments on: Hone back but Maori Party divisions laid bare

By: Bright Red

Bright Red — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:16:04 +0000

Tim. No-one’s saying that Key should be responsible for administering a punishment for Hone or not punishing him, but can’t he at least come down on one side over the fence over whether he accepts Hone’s apology or not?

By: gobsmacked

gobsmacked — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:07:51 +0000

Tim Ellis makes a reasonable point. Unfortunately, it was completely contradicted today by Minister (that’s John Key’s Minister, in whom he has confidence) Dr Pita Sharples.

Stuff.co.nz reports:

“Mr Harawira appears to be set for more responsibilities once he returns to Wellington.

Dr Sharples said he would take up “some of the opportunities and the work provided under our portfolios as ministers”, as his caucus colleagues already did.”

Only two options here. Either Pita Sharples is acting without the Prime Minister’s permission (in which case he should be publicly reprimanded, or even sacked).

Or he is delegating his portfolio with the approval of the Prime Minister, in which case Hone Harawira is very much John Key’s responsibility after all.

By: poptart

poptart — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:03:56 +0000

in fact, every time anyone criticises national you jump up and down saying ‘but labour was just the same!’ which even if it were true wouldn’t make national any better (‘specially given key’s promise that national would have higher standards).

why do you spend all day doing damage control for national tim?

By: poptart

poptart — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:01:13 +0000

but… you and the rest of your national mates thought that helen was responsible for winston. seems to me you’re just trying to spin it again like you always do.

By: Tim Ellis

Tim Ellis — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:58:47 +0000

Put it this way poptart, Mr Key is no more responsible for the misdemeanours of a backbench MP in a support party than Ms Clark was for the misdemeanours of a frontbench MP in a support party.

By: poptart

poptart — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:56:31 +0000

Quit living in the past Tim.

By: Tim Ellis

Tim Ellis — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:49:29 +0000

Very interesting points Eddie. At least Ms Clark stood up and took a position when MPs from support parties got into hot water and called them to account, just like when she demanded accountability from Mr Peters and ensured Labour MPs on the Privileges Committee didn’t hold back on censuring him last year.

By: Charles Paringatai

Charles Paringatai — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:06:28 +0000

Hone back but Maori Party divisions laid bare at The Standard: So Hone Harawira has been readmitted into the fo.. http://bit.ly/8r2P2N