New Zealand Liberal Party (1992)
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Liberal Party founded in 1992 (not to be confused with the original Liberal Party
or the 1962 Liberal Party
) was a splinter group of the National Party
.
The Liberal Party was founded by Gilbert Myles
and Hamish MacIntyre
, two dissident National MPs. Myles and McIntyre were opponents of the economic reforms (dubbed "Ruthanasia
") promoted by Minister of Finance
Ruth Richardson
, believing that they were harmful to society. As a result of their objections, Myles and McIntyre fell out with their National Party colleagues, and eventually decided to break away. After a short time as independents, they established the Liberal Party.
The new organisation was plagued by organisational difficulties, and neither Myles not MacIntyre — both first-term MPs — had much political experience. Not long after the party was established, Myles and McIntyre opted to join the Liberals to the newly formed Alliance
party. Although the Alliance was considerably more left-wing than the Liberals, it was emerging as the most significant political group to oppose Ruth Richardson's policies — the leader of the Alliance, Jim Anderton
, had quit his own Labour Party
out of opposition to Roger Douglas
, an ideological ally of Richardson.
In 1993, however, a more prominent dissident within the National Party, Winston Peters
, also quit. Although it was briefly considered that a pact might be formed between the Alliance and Peters, the two proved incompatible, and Peters established the New Zealand First
party. At the time when Myles and McIntyre had split from National, they had entertained hopes that Peters (and possibly Michael Laws
or Cam Campion
) would join them, and were therefore disappointed at the failure of talks between Peters and the Alliance. The possibility of leaving the Alliance and merging with New Zealand First was discussed, but deep divisions emerged within the party about this possibility. In the end, Gilbert Myles opted to leave the Liberals and join New Zealand First. MacIntyre remained with the Liberals for some time afterwards, however he did not enter Parliament again and following the 1996 election
where he was a list candidate for the Alliance, retired from politics.
In 1994, leadership of the Liberals fell to Frank Grover
, who was elected to Parliament as an Alliance list MP
in the 1996 election. The Liberal Party itself, however, was eventually dissolved, with its few members simply becoming members of the Alliance as a whole. Frank Grover eventually rejected the Alliance, and shortly before the 1999 election
, defected to the Christian Heritage Party
, giving it its first seat in Parliament. Grover did not secure re-election, however.
New Zealand Liberal Party
The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party...
or the 1962 Liberal Party
New Zealand Liberal Party (1962)
The New Zealand Liberal Party of 1962, an historic laissez-faire Liberal Party, was formed to stand in the 1963 New Zealand general election.“At one time seemed to have two wings, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch, but before polling day these were united under Mr. R.M. Hutton-Potts, a...
) was a splinter group of the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The 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:...
.
The Liberal Party was founded by Gilbert Myles
Gilbert Myles
Gilbert Myles, JP, is a former New Zealand politician.- Member of Parliament :He was elected to Parliament for the seat of Roskill in the 1990 elections as part of the New Zealand National Party, a previously safe-seat of the previously ruling Labour Party, largely on a platform of opposition to...
and Hamish MacIntyre
Hamish MacIntyre
Hamish MacIntyre was a New Zealand politician who at various times represented the National Party, Liberal Party, and the Alliance. His father was the Rt Hon Duncan MacIntyre, who was Deputy Prime Minister to Muldoon in the Third National Government, and he was born in Waipukurau.He was elected to...
, two dissident National MPs. Myles and McIntyre were opponents of the economic reforms (dubbed "Ruthanasia
Ruthanasia
Ruthanasia, a portmanteau of "Ruth" and "euthanasia", is the pejorative name given to the period of free-market economic reform conducted during the first term of the fourth National government in New Zealand, from 1990 to 1993...
") promoted by Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (New Zealand)
The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
Ruth Richardson
Ruth Richardson
Ruth Richardson served as New Zealand's Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1993, and is known for her strong pursuit of free-market economic reforms .-Early life:...
, believing that they were harmful to society. As a result of their objections, Myles and McIntyre fell out with their National Party colleagues, and eventually decided to break away. After a short time as independents, they established the Liberal Party.
The new organisation was plagued by organisational difficulties, and neither Myles not MacIntyre — both first-term MPs — had much political experience. Not long after the party was established, Myles and McIntyre opted to join the Liberals to the newly formed Alliance
Alliance (New Zealand political party)
The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the...
party. Although the Alliance was considerably more left-wing than the Liberals, it was emerging as the most significant political group to oppose Ruth Richardson's policies — the leader of the Alliance, Jim Anderton
Jim Anderton
James Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest...
, had quit his own Labour Party
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....
out of opposition to Roger Douglas
Roger Douglas
Sir Roger Owen Douglas , is a New Zealand politician who formerly served as a senior New Zealand Labour Party Cabinet minister. He became arguably best-known for his prominent role in the radical economic restructuring undertaken by the Fourth Labour Government during the 1980s...
, an ideological ally of Richardson.
In 1993, however, a more prominent dissident within the National Party, Winston Peters
Winston Peters
Winston Raymond Peters is a New Zealand politician and leader of New Zealand First, a political party he founded in 1993. Peters has had a turbulent political career since entering Parliament in 1978. He served as Minister of Maori Affairs in the Bolger National Party Government before being...
, also quit. Although it was briefly considered that a pact might be formed between the Alliance and Peters, the two proved incompatible, and Peters established 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. At the time when Myles and McIntyre had split from National, they had entertained hopes that Peters (and possibly Michael Laws
Michael 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...
or Cam Campion
Cam Campion
Cameron "Cam" Campion was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.-Private life:Campion was a queen scout and attended St Georges Preparatory School and Wanganui Collegiate. He was captain of the Wanganui under 21 rugby team...
) would join them, and were therefore disappointed at the failure of talks between Peters and the Alliance. The possibility of leaving the Alliance and merging with New Zealand First was discussed, but deep divisions emerged within the party about this possibility. In the end, Gilbert Myles opted to leave the Liberals and join New Zealand First. MacIntyre remained with the Liberals for some time afterwards, however he did not enter Parliament again and following the 1996 election
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...
where he was a list candidate for the Alliance, retired from politics.
In 1994, leadership of the Liberals fell to Frank Grover
Frank Grover
Frank Grover is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1996 to 1999, representing first the Alliance and then the Christian Heritage Party in the House of Representatives.-The Liberals:...
, who was elected to Parliament as an Alliance list MP
Party-list proportional representation
Party-list proportional representation systems are a family of voting systems emphasizing proportional representation in elections in which multiple candidates are elected...
in the 1996 election. The Liberal Party itself, however, was eventually dissolved, with its few members simply becoming members of the Alliance as a whole. Frank Grover eventually rejected the Alliance, and shortly before the 1999 election
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...
, defected to the Christian Heritage Party
Christian Heritage New Zealand
The Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand was a New Zealand political party espousing Christian values...
, giving it its first seat in Parliament. Grover did not secure re-election, however.