7.9.09

The Editor, NZ Herald.

Dear Sir,                                  Letter to the Editor.

Interesting that Marilyn Waring, one of the few National Party intellectuals, is expressing grave disquiet about the National government under John Key. (NZH, 7.9.09)

Ms Waring laments the loss of various democratic conventions and ‘freedoms’ under Mr Key. How right she is, and how few people are standing up to this rapid erosion of established protocols, processes and Parliamentary practices.

Ms Waring might have gone further though. Perhaps she should have mentioned the pre-election lack of disclosure of draconian policies behind Mr Key’s toothpaste smile and the meaningless ‘time for a change’ theme.

How can democracy work when a party does not clarify its policies pre-election and therefore does not have a mandate? For example, were we told that the following would be under attack by National: The Auckland region; local government and local determination; education, including community education; hospitals; judges; the legal fraternity; conservation areas ( for mining); the environment generally; the police; Afghanistan and democracy itself?

Perhaps the public needs to read the famous words of Pastor Niemoller and then consider what needs to be done to stem the erosion of democracy by this government.