Winston Peters, the leader of New Zealand’s minority political party NZ First, says he wont support equal marriage in New Zealand! He is also forcing the eight NZ First MP’s to abstain from a crucial vote on the issue.
Winston Peters told reporters this week that NZ First are arguing instead for a referendum on the issue after announcing the party’s eight MPs will abstain from voting when the current bill on the gay marriage comes before the New Zealand parliament.
“We believe there should be enough members of parliament who have got confidence in the public of this country to trust the public to decide this issue after reasonable debate.” he said.
His stance on gay marriage shouldn’t come as a surprise, he has repeatedly refused to comment or disclose his personal views on the issue and NZ First party are a rather conservative and nationalistic, popular with many Maori voters.
Elsewhere there is far more positive news, MPs from the Green Party, the Maori Party, Mana, United Future and many in the Labour Party have already pledged their support for the bill. Earlier this week, Prime Minister John Key also announced he would support the bill, yet the rest of his National Party are split on the issue.
The leader of New Zealand Conservative party, Colin Craig angered many last week when he tweeted his homophobic leanings, saying gay relationships are not ‘normal’ and confirming his party was against marriage equality. However there are no Conservative Party Mps currently in the New Zealand parliament, reports Jason Shaw, exclusively for Gay Agenda.
According to local media, some 54 MPs have said they will be voting in favour of the bill, 15 MPs are known to be against it, 44 MPs are yet undecided or undisclosed leaving the 8 MPs from NZ First being commanded to abstain.
Many activists and local commentators believe there has never been a better time for marriage equality to be passed, as there seems to be a new more open attitude toward sexuality and marriage. Many believe that marriage equality will not only good for New Zealand’s image overseas, but also a massive boost to the economy.
You’ll be relieved to note that 8 abstentions actually makes the bill *more* likely to pass, as it now only requires 3 of the 8 Labour MPs who’ve yet to make up their minds to vote in favour.
Our MPs are not being “commanded” to abstain. NZ First’s Caucus discussed this issue and came to the united view that we ought to stick to the policy we campaigned on of a referendum in this area.
I would also note that all recent polling I have available to me indicates that equality of marriage would comfortably pass a referendum too.
Thanks for your comment, it is heartening to learn that it is likely to pass, however the statement ‘Our MPs are not being “commanded” to abstain.’ is misleading, because they are not being given a conscious or free vote, they are being told what to do – which is in effect being commanded how to vote or not vote at all, regardless of the reasons.