Mr McLay avoids talk on ‘Richardson way’

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 4

Mr McLay avoids talk on ‘Richardson way’

By

PATRICIA HERBERT

In Wellington

The Leader of 1 the Opposition, Mr McLay, yesterday avoided discussion of the political philosophy espoused by his colleague, the member of Parliament for Selwyn, Miss Ruth Richardson. He said Miss Richardson had made it clear that she was expressing only personal views and that he had no comment to make on them as such.

He did, however, defend Miss Richardson’s right to articulate possible policy options and directions in which she saw National perhaps moving. Her views, he said, would form part of the discussion that would lead to the formulation of party policy and it was that policy he would support.

Mr McLay acknowledged that his recent promotion of Miss Richardson to the front bench had given her ideas more

prominence in the public mind and said he was “happy for that.” “I think it is a good thing that a front-bencher should be out talking ideas, discussing them, and getting a public reaction to them,” he said. The “Richardson way” lays great emphasis on

individual freedom of choice and personal sovereignty. She wants a turn-ing-round from the habit of dependence born of the expectation of cradle-to-grave security but would allow a long lead time to ensure people were equipped for the change. . .