New Zealand Democratic Coalition
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Democratic Coalition was a proposed moderate political party intended to contest the 1996 General Election
. It would have been led by former Prime Minister Mike Moore and was intended to capture the balance of power on election night. Ultimately it was not registered and Moore stayed with Labour
for the 1996 election.
announced his switch to New Zealand First in April 1996. However he was forced to resign as an MP shortly afterwards due to the "Antoinette Beck" scandal. He continued to work behind the scenes for New Zealand First helping them prepare for the 1996 election before retiring from politics. In 2004 he was elected the Mayor of Wanganui
, a position he held until 2010.
Ron Mark
, Peter McCardle
and Jack Elder
followed Laws to the New Zealand First
party and became list MPs after the 1996 election. New Zealand First ended up holding the balance of power and formed a coalition with the National Party. Peter McCardle became the Minister of Employment and Jack Elder was appointed the Minister of Police
. Ron Mark became the government's senior whip
. In the later break up of the New Zealand First party McCardle and Elder stayed with the Government but did not seek reelection in 1999
. Ron Mark instead remained with New Zealand First and stayed in parliament until the party's defeat in 2008
.
Mike Moore was reelected as a Labour MP in 1996 but resigned in early 1999 so he could serve as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization
. Moore's term ended on August 31, 2002.
Clayton Cosgrove
stood for Labour and was elected as the MP for Waimakariri
in the 1999 election, replacing Moore. He currently still holds the seat.
Geoff Braybrooke
retained the Napier seat until he finally retired at the 2002 elections
.
New Zealand general election, 1996
The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
. It would have been led by former Prime Minister Mike Moore and was intended to capture the balance of power on election night. Ultimately it was not registered and Moore stayed with Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
for the 1996 election.
Members
Involved in the discussions were;- Mike Moore - Former Prime Minister who had been replaced as Labour leader after the 1993 election.
- Michael LawsMichael LawsMichael Laws is a New Zealand politician, broadcaster and writer/columnist. He served two terms as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament, representing the National Party and New Zealand First . He was elected as Mayor of Wanganui in 2004, was re-elected in 2007 but announced his retirement from...
- Renegade NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
backbencher. - Geoff BraybrookeGeoff BraybrookeGeoffrey Bernard Braybrooke, QSO is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1981 to 2002, representing the Labour Party. He was one of the party's more conservative MPs.-Early years:...
- Labour MP & Friend of Moore. - Jack ElderJack ElderJack Arnold Elder is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1999, representing first the Labour Party, then New Zealand First, and then Mauri Pacific.-Early life:...
- Another Labour MP & one of Moore's caucus allies. - Peter McCardlePeter McCardlePeter McCardle , is a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1990 to 1999, first as a member of the National Party, then as a member of New Zealand First, and finally as an independent...
- National MP. - Clayton CosgroveClayton CosgroveClayton James Cosgrove is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Cosgrove was born in Nelson, New Zealand. He received a BA, in American Studies and Political Science, from the University of Canterbury in 1992 and received an MBA in 1996...
- Mike Moore's former Private Secretary in Christchurch. - Ron MarkRon MarkMajor Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...
- Former Labour Party Candidate for the Selwyn electorate. - Tony Day - Moore's local campaign organiser and former Fendalton candidate for Labour.
Timeline
- Held alongside the 1993 general electionNew Zealand general election, 1993The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing back towards the Labour Party. The new Alliance and New...
was a referendum that gave voters a choice between the current electoral system, First Past the Post, and the Mixed Member Proportional system. They decided on reformElectoral reform in New ZealandElectoral reform in New Zealand has, in recent years, become a political issue as major changes have been made to both Parliamentary and local government electoral systems.- Parliamentary Electoral Reform :...
. This created opportunities for many smaller parties to be formed and win representation in parliament. - Early in 1994 both Laws and Moore appear on TVNZ's current affairs programme Fraser. Here they discuss the opportunities for a new centre party on air. The two decide afterwards that they should meet again to further discuss this opportunity.
- In July 1994: Bruce BeethamBruce BeethamBruce Craig Beetham was an academic and politician from New Zealand, whose career spanned the 1970s and early 1980s.A lecturer at Hamilton's University of Waikato and at the Hamilton Teacher's Training College, he was elected leader of the Social Credit Party in 1972, at a time when the party was...
writes to both Laws and Moore individually to offer his New Zealand Centre Coalition as a foundation for any party they are contemplating forming. This coalition consists of a weird mix of ideas and platforms including fragments of Beetham's Social Credit revivalSocial Credit Party (New Zealand)The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time...
, the remains of the New Zealand PartyNew Zealand Partywidth=300|thumb|Party logoThe New Zealand Party was a political party operating in New Zealand. It was established by millionaire property tycoon Bob Jones, and promoted both social and economic liberalization. The New Zealand Party's motto was "Freedom and Prosperity", and it has sometimes been...
, Tania Harris' anti-Union "United party" and the Confederation of United Tribes. Both individuals seem to have largely ignored this offer. - Late 1994; A meeting between Moore and Michelle Boag is organised by Laws to discuss the potential of National Party donors financing a new Centre party.
- 1995: Meetings in Wellington between the five interested MPs. These are centered around the Yangtze restaurant. Mike Moore is still uncommitted.
- A "breakfast club" is formed in which Laws, McCardle, Moore and Elder regularly meet to further discussions. Braybrooke is left out of these as he is suffering ill-health but he remains determined to follow Moore to any new party. Many names are considered including the "Peoples Party" before Democratic Coalition is selected.
- In August 1995 a "conference" is held in Christchurch that involves all the MPs as well as Cosgrove and Mark. Here they elect Rosy Fenwick, a Hastings GP and friend of Laws, to be secretary-general and form a document known as "The Aims & Objectives of the New Zealand Democratic Coalition". Moore declares he is 95% Committed.
- By the end of 1995 Over 600 financial members have been signed up and the party is ready to be registered (500 members are required to be registered under New Zealand Electoral Law). However Mike Moore is still undecided on forming the party.
- Last week of the 1995 parliamentary session Moore meets with Laws, McCardle and Elder to declare himself 99% committed. The First week of the 1996 parliamentary session is discussed as an ideal launch date.
- In an interview with the Sunday Star-Times the following weekend Mike Moore says he is committed to Labour.
- January 1996: A meeting is held in Moore's office. With Moore still uncommitted Michael Laws tells the others he will instead join the New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
party. This led to Mike Moore pulling the plug on the project despite the other MPs still being keen. - McCardle also left National to join New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
. - April 1996: Elder leaves the Labour Party to join New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
.
Aims & Objectives
To Select candidates of ability and integrity for election to the New Zealand House of Representatives who accept and endorse the following principles, aims and objectives:- To protect and promote the family unit;
- To respect and uphold the rights and liberty of the individual;
- To promote equality of opportunity regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic, cultural or religious background;
- To provide economic and social policies that allow individuals to maximise their potential for both private and the common good;
- To ensure the equality of all persons before the law...;
- To protect New Zealand's territorial integrity and ensure this nation's independence in all international forums;
- To promote co-operation and tolerance within the wider community;
- To provide and promote an open and competitive economy that recognises and rewards enterprise and endeavour.
- To provide policies that protect the weak and the vulnerable within our community and seek to empower those individuals to reach their potential.
- To provide for and actively encourage the maximum possible participation in all aspects of local and central government decision-making;
- To create an educated, enlightened, enterprising and responsible society and pursue policies to that end.
- To provide an efficient, effective and accountable public sector that services the education, health and welfare needs of the wider community and is politically neutral and free of ideological bias;
- To provide all members of the New Zealand Democratic Coalition with the opportunity to contribute to the organisation, policy and strategy of the Coalition.
Aftermath
Michael LawsMichael Laws
Michael Laws is a New Zealand politician, broadcaster and writer/columnist. He served two terms as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament, representing the National Party and New Zealand First . He was elected as Mayor of Wanganui in 2004, was re-elected in 2007 but announced his retirement from...
announced his switch to New Zealand First in April 1996. However he was forced to resign as an MP shortly afterwards due to the "Antoinette Beck" scandal. He continued to work behind the scenes for New Zealand First helping them prepare for the 1996 election before retiring from politics. In 2004 he was elected the Mayor of Wanganui
Wanganui
Whanganui , also spelled Wanganui, is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region....
, a position he held until 2010.
Ron Mark
Ron Mark
Major Ron Stanley Mark is a New Zealand politician, and is the current mayor of Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand.-Early years:...
, Peter McCardle
Peter McCardle
Peter McCardle , is a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1990 to 1999, first as a member of the National Party, then as a member of New Zealand First, and finally as an independent...
and Jack Elder
Jack Elder
Jack Arnold Elder is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1999, representing first the Labour Party, then New Zealand First, and then Mauri Pacific.-Early life:...
followed Laws to the New Zealand First
New Zealand First
New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
party and became list MPs after the 1996 election. New Zealand First ended up holding the balance of power and formed a coalition with the National Party. Peter McCardle became the Minister of Employment and Jack Elder was appointed the Minister of Police
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
. Ron Mark became the government's senior whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
. In the later break up of the New Zealand First party McCardle and Elder stayed with the Government but did not seek reelection in 1999
New Zealand general election, 1999
The 1999 New Zealand general election was held on 27 November 1999 to determine the composition of the 46th New Zealand Parliament. The governing National Party, led by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, was defeated, being replaced by a coalition of Helen Clark's Labour Party and the smaller Alliance...
. Ron Mark instead remained with New Zealand First and stayed in parliament until the party's defeat in 2008
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
.
Mike Moore was reelected as a Labour MP in 1996 but resigned in early 1999 so he could serve as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
. Moore's term ended on August 31, 2002.
Clayton Cosgrove
Clayton Cosgrove
Clayton James Cosgrove is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:Cosgrove was born in Nelson, New Zealand. He received a BA, in American Studies and Political Science, from the University of Canterbury in 1992 and received an MBA in 1996...
stood for Labour and was elected as the MP for Waimakariri
Waimakariri (New Zealand electorate)
Waimakariri is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, formed in 1996 and returning one Member of Parliament to the New Zealand House of Representatives. The current MP for Waimakariri is Clayton Cosgrove of the Labour Party. He has held this position since the 1999 election...
in the 1999 election, replacing Moore. He currently still holds the seat.
Geoff Braybrooke
Geoff Braybrooke
Geoffrey Bernard Braybrooke, QSO is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1981 to 2002, representing the Labour Party. He was one of the party's more conservative MPs.-Early years:...
retained the Napier seat until he finally retired at the 2002 elections
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
.
Sources
- Laws, Michael. The Demon Profession. Auckland, HarperCollins (New Zealand), 1998. ISBN 1-86950-257-4