Winston Peters will not be Prime Minister under my watch

OPINION: Winston Peters may dream of becoming prime minister, but he should understand one thing, it will not be happening under my watch.

After decades being involved in New Zealand politics, Peters appears unwilling to leave the prize alone and continues to suck the taxpayer-tit dry.

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Image: The Beehive in Wellington, home to the offices of New Zealand’s Government. Mohan Dutta argues racism is socially corrosive and an economic distraction from bigger national challenges including productivity, housing and infrastructure. (Supplied / Samuel Hudson / Quiet Pact Network)

The keys to the ninth floor of the Beehive are not a retirement gift, a consolation prize or a bargaining chip. They represent the highest office in this country, and the public deserves to know who is seeking it before voters decide who’s our next boss.

Peters has every right to chase that office but I have every right to oppose him with every democratic means available to me as a good citizen.

I will not applaud the manoeuvring. I will not pretend that a clever coalition arrangement somehow makes this prospect more acceptable. I will not watch a post-election negotiation turn into a coronation and accept the result without speaking out.

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This is not about whether Peters can command a room, dominate a microphone or survive another political storm. We know he can. He has spent a lifetime proving it.

This is about whether longevity should become an invitation to take the country’s most powerful job.

Image: Winston Peters Speaking to an audience at New Zealand First’s convention. NZ First must explain whether it will launch an internal investigation and unequivocally condemn Nazism and white supremacy, with voters entitled to scrutinise the conduct of its leadership and those it places in positions of influence and power. (Supplied)

If Peters wants the prime ministership, let him make that case openly and face the judgement of New Zealanders.

Let every party that might hand Peters the job explain to him that he needs to retire. There must be no surprises, and, no carefully worded evasions suddenly announcing that the balance of power has delivered him the top seat.

I am one voter, not a kingmaker. My watch is my voice as a taxpayer, my vote and my refusal to stay silent. I will use all three.

Peters has helped choose prime ministers. He has served alongside them, challenged them and stepped into the role temporarily.

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None of that entitles Peters to the title of prime ministership. He can keep the far-reaching ambition, though. He will never have my endorsement.

Not today. Not under my watch.

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