From NZ Herald · · 3m
Why Labour and National should do a deal and kill the overhang
Labour and National must fix electoral rules to stop overhangs before next election.
In brief
Labour and National must fix electoral rules to stop overhangs before next election. Labour and National should amend electoral rules to eliminate overhangs, preventing strategic voting from distorting election results. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Quick answers
- Why now?
- With both parties humiliated by low polling, a constitutional reform like overhang elimination could help restore political dignity and prevent future electoral manipulation.
- What is the key takeaway from Why Labour and National should do a deal and kill the overhang?
- Labour and National should amend electoral rules to eliminate overhangs, preventing strategic voting from distorting election results.
MMP system basics
The MMP system aims to reflect voters' political will through proportional representation but allows overhangs where parties win more electorate seats than their party vote entitles them to.
Te Pāti Māori's overhang plan
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi wants to trigger an overhang by campaigning for only the candidate vote to rort the electoral system.
Harry Mowbray's strategy
Harry Mowbray, father of Zuru toy empire billionaires, encourages right-wing parties to split votes between National and Act or NZ First to trigger a larger overhang.
Overhang risks
Overhangs could give the left bloc an inbuilt advantage in future elections if Māori electorates swing left, or fuel calls to abolish MMP entirely.
National's concerns
National fears overhangs because Māori electorates swing left, giving the left bloc an inbuilt advantage in future elections.
Labour's risks
Labour risks losing ground if right-wing parties trigger larger overhangs, as National's geographic spread gives it an advantage in winning electorate seats.
Current overhang trends
Five of ten MMP Parliaments have had overhangs, with Te Pāti Māori and Harry Mowbray's strategies increasing the likelihood of a deliberate overhang this election.
Electoral reform options
Increasing Parliament to 170 MPs or adding list top-up seats could reduce overhangs without abolishing the electoral system entirely.
Political stakes
Labour and National, the two largest parties, should collaborate to fix electoral rules before the next election to prevent strategic voting from distorting results.
Why now?
With both parties humiliated by low polling, a constitutional reform like overhang elimination could help restore political dignity and prevent future electoral manipulation.
Strategic voting confusion
Voters already split their votes, with 43.8% of Green voters and 59.9% of Act voters giving their electorate votes to Labour or National.
Overhang consequences
An overhang could lead to calls for abolishing Māori electorates or MMP, as Act and NZ First want to eliminate them.
Fixing the system
Labour and National should work together to amend electoral rules to eliminate overhangs, ensuring the next government has a stronger mandate from voters.
The solution
A multi-party deal to fix electoral rules would prevent strategic voting from distorting election results and restore political integrity.
Why it matters
Overhangs risk making New Zealand's political system unstable by encouraging parties to focus on rorting the system rather than listening to voters.
Here's the gist
Labour and National should amend electoral rules to eliminate overhangs, preventing strategic voting from distorting election results.
