The phone call that won't happen (but should)
How to complete an end-run around NZ First
*Phone rings*
Chris Luxon (CL): Hello, Chris Luxon speaking.
Chris Hipkins (CH): Hi Christopher, it's Chris Hipkins here.
CL: Oh! Well… what can I help you with?
CH: I've been reflecting on what happens next, and I wanted to discuss a possible way forward. It's a bit unorthodox so can I get your assurance that this will be a confidential conversation?
CL: I think I can agree to that. What do you have in mind.
CH: We lost the election, I accept that. But I think we both agree that having Winston Peters and NZ First as part of the government is not ideal.
CL: Well, no. But it’s easy for you to say that now.
*Short pause*
CH: Well, let’s just say it’s something I learned the hard way.
CL: (sighs). So, what’s your idea?
CH: I'm proposing that three or four Labour list MPs undertake to abstain from voting in the next Parliament, aside from conscience votes. That will allow you to form a government with ACT without the need for Winston’s support. The abstaining MPs would be free to say whatever they wanted, of course, but they just wouldn’t vote while the deal held.
CL: Okay, and what assurances would you want in return?
CH: Well, the deal would be off if you made any kind of formal agreement with Winston of course. But it would seem like a good idea for National to commit to doing the same if the tables are turned after a future election.
*Long pause*
CL: Chris, it’s an interesting proposal, I need to make one thing clear. I can't bind the National Party in perpetuity. I’m not going to be the leader forever.
CH: I understand that, Christopher. I'm not asking for an indefinite commitment. However, we're both leaders of our respective parties right now.
CL: Well, if – and it’s a big if – we were to do something, I could only give a personal assurance to make every effort in good faith to uphold the agreement.
*Long pause*
CH: That makes sense, Chris. That's all I can ask for.
CL: The other thing – I’m trying to be tactful here - there's a chance that you might not remain Leader of Labour for the whole of the next term. I don’t know what your plans are. In that case, we would need very strong assurances from other Labour MPs that they would uphold the agreement.
CH: I understand your concern, Christopher. I agree there would need to be certainty.
CL: It would be necessary. The agreement would have to hold no matter who the leader of the opposition was.
CH: Absolutely.
CL: Chris, I think there are still some details that we need to work out, but in principle, I agree with your proposal. I will discuss it with my team and we'll need to work out the specifics, but I think it's a reasonable starting point as another option for us.
CH: Oh look certainly there are details to work out, but I'm glad we're aligned in principle.
CL: Agreed, Chris. We'll be in touch soon to discuss the next steps.
*End of call*
That is very undemocratic, those voters for the Labour MPs would not be happy.
Cynically, the call won’t happen because the best chance of labour winning in 2026 is if the next three years are so chaotic that Hipkin’s decision to rule Winston out this year is proved correct.