Week of politics on ‘Eye Witness News’

Press, 19 November 1982, Page 19

Week of politics on ‘Eye Witness News’

' A year ago the New Zea- ‘ land election campaign was • reaching, its climax — and a ‘ change in government looked - a distinct possibility. While ■ that did not happen the elec- • tion did significantly alter • the dynamics of Parliament. I The Government ended up ' with the narrowest-possible majority. Social Credit had a new importance. Labour • again collected most votes. “Eye Witness News” will j mark the anniversary of the •’ election with' a series of • reports that will run throughout next week, on - Two at 6.30 p.m. • The reports will contain

analyses of the performance of each of the parties, will assess their current standings in the opinion polls and also test the feelings of party supporters on who their future leaders should be. The producer,' Shaun Brown, says there is more than enough material for the series. “All three parties have had a stormy year,” he says. “National, with a knifeedge majority in the House, rumblings over the Quigley affair among the grass roots; Labour still in the middle of a debate over its leadership;

and Social Credit making a deal with the Government early in the year and then throwing its weight behind Opposition no-confidence motions later on.” “Eye Witness News” has commissioned a speciallydesigned poll from the Heylen Research Centre, which will assess how the public rate the parties’ performances in key areas. The poll will also feature in the final report of the week, dealing with party leadership. Heylen and “Eye Witness News” have polled the supporters of National and Labour on who they

believe should lead their parties. "The results are quite dramatic," says Shaun Brown. David Beatson will present the reports, which will begin on Monday with an analysis of the latest party standings. On Tuesday Social Credit’s performance will be assessed, followed on Wednesday by Labour and on Thursday by National. The leadership report will be shown on Friday. All three party leaders have been invited to take part.