seek alliance

Press, 13 January 1987, Page 3

seek alliance

PA Auckland The Democratic Party will seek an alliance with other minority parties — principally Mana Motuhake — to contest the election, says its leader, Mr Neil Morrison. His call came within 12 hours of Mana Motuhake’s leader, Mr Matiu Rata, saying he would welcome such an approach. A Values Party coleader, Mr Mike. Ward, said yesterday that Values had not considered a. closer liaison with the Democratic Party.

Mr Ward said that while the two parties had one or two interests in common — such as proportional representation — the Democrats were basically a conservative party which believed in growth.

Mr Morrison said one of the main reasons for seeking an alliance or a coalition would be to ensure that the recommen-

datlons of the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform were implemented. Mr Rata said a Mana Motuhake general council meeting at the week-end had welcomed the recommendations of the commission but had expressed concern at the proposal to assimilate Maori seats. The Democrats’ suggestion that they not put up their own candidates in Maori seats coincided with his thinking.

Mr Morrison said successful co-operation in the election would, logically, lead to a common parliamentary caucus and whip between the two parties. “We have been studying the alliance between the British Social Democrat and Liberal Parties which has worked well," he said. Mr Rata said he would work quickly with the Democrats, and other parties, in the hope of a joint approach by the end of the month.