NZ Centre for Political Research

This week’s poll asks:

Will Don Brash’s return to parliament be good for the country?

*Yes, Don has our vote, good luck to him. He has the intelligence and spine to get the country on the right track. Carole

*I think Brash may even honour the one law for all policy. We need to see if he has the balls to commit to repealing other legislation that has damaged this country. But what will the cost be? Neil

*Dr. Brash is the only hope on the horizon. Key and his obnoxious little toady, Finlayson have got to be bought into line now. Time is running out. Ronmac

*A bit of backbone hopefully. Kit

*I believe so. Even though I do not condone how he got to be leader, but I do agree that we need to move more to the right and get policies that help us as a country reating wealth. As a small business owner for 30+ years I have never experenced such difficult operating times, and my concern is how long do we hold on and is it going to change. P

*Don Brash - Putting the ACT back in fAsCisT! Grover

*My family and I will now be voting for ACT at the next election. Eric

*Key and a few other National MP`s stabbed Brash in the back the last time. Finlayson is a Maori in a New Zealanders clothing, not to be trusted. Robert

*Maybe it will make John Key think about his words "one law for all NZers". Mary

*Brash will be the conscience Key needs to honour his earlier commitments. Bill

*This move is just what we need to counter balance the moves by John Key relative to ETS , Foreshore and seabed , and generally setting race relations in NZ back at least 20 years. Bring it on Don. Ian

*We need some more opinions..and shake up for the stuck in the mud mob. Jane

*What took him so long! John

*Yes he should at least give National the shake-up they need to go back to what they promised pre-election and get away from secret governance. Go Don! Craig

*As we are no longer voting National {foreshore and seabed } we now have a viable alternative. Noela

*Now I have somewhere for my vote to actually count. Key will pay for his arrogance as will the knee jerk (power is the only objective, ) National Cabinet. Peter

*Hopefully the Orewa speech will now come to life. Alan

*Yesterday's monetarist money meddler who must fail again as he has done before, and visit upon NZ yet more socially divisive economics of greed. Leo

*We need someone like him to do away with apartied in this country and he is a trier. Ian

*We are being impoverished by political correctness. Enough ordinary NZers, Maori and Others have had their lives affected for their to be considerable support for someone speaking their feelings. People are sick of being muzzled by the PC nazis that pervade every work scene or bureaucratic situation we are forced to comply with in order to survive in NZ society. We are New Zealanders, not a race based society! (with the privileged and the rest who pay the bills). Beverley

*But its going to be messy. Ced

*It is good to see a balance in power, and gives me someone to vote for, after national has given away it's principals. He will be a ray of hope, hope he can make some sense out of the mess we are in. Noel

*I'm cautiously optimistic. There is no-one else with the will to do what is necessary to create equality for everyone without all the race based nonsense we are continually faced with at every turn. As far as I'm concerned this might be our last chance to get this country back to how it was before previous Governments re-invented and reinterpreted the Treaty out of all recognition to the original one. Helen

*Someone needs to put the brake on. Clearly Rodney has lost his way, having got a ministerial job. Ron

*10% of the population cannot receive special treatment. Get rid of the Maori seats. We need Maoris for tourism. They are the wallpaper of NZ. Herbert

*Yesterdays grey man is not for today. Herb

*Key has let us down. It is a relief to have an alternative. David

*They want to learn to speak Maori, then see there elders. They have been paid a fortune in public money already, so put that to good use. Trevor

*The Act party in the past has had policies of merit and if Don Brash can bring back the ability of politicians to listen then Act will have my vote. Peter

*Now we no longer have to ask the question, "John Key's not doing what we voted him in for, so who else can we vote for? Winnie in the Pooh? Constituency vote for National, Party vote for ACT." Dave

*And what's more it will allow me to have someone to vote for and support at last! Dave

*At last we have an alternative the mediocre centerist Government that we have had for the last three and a bit years. At last those National Voters who are disappointed in the Goverments performance have a place to go which was a definate worry for me until the Brash Coup. Robin

*Finally a little glimmer of hope on the horizon. I am amazed and disappointed how I, and many others, were sucked in by a smiling John Key at the last election. I have never felt such anger over any previous issue as the Foreshore and Seabed giveaway. Grant

*For the first time in 30 years I was not going to vote, National has totally betrayed its voters and with Rodneys recent hypocrisys, I had no one I could vote for.. then along came Brash. Comes across as "old english stuffy" but ever since his Orewa speech I have concurred with most everything he says. Rock on Don!!! Lincoln

*It will save ACT from dropping off the scene post next election. Rodneys actions on the Gold Card were a step too far for many supporters! Hugh

*Finally we have a chance to get something done. Also the ability to demonstrate to the Nat party how much they let us all down. Fantastic news!! Robyn

*Go Don a clear articulate man who is for no race based hand outs but for all New Zealanders. Clark

*Some hope at last!! Janie

*Yes, provided he doesn't bring that social conservative Banks with him - definitely NOT an ACT person. James

*He's another ignorant tory we don't need. John

*I like his comment that we are ALL NZers and all share in the bounty and responsibility of this country. Ian

*The Easter uprising of Don Brash not only bodes well for NZ but is the only hope for our racially-divided and economically- bankrupt country. What the wasted time serves to remind us 6 years on, that D. Brash needed to be PM. in '05 and hopefully John Key will have his nose rubbed into what he calls his prime ministership. Monica

*Hopefully he can get sufficient votes to balance the 'Maori' debate. Clive

This week’s poll asks:

Will Don Brash’s return to parliament be good for the country?

*To be hoped at last we have a creditable alternative. Brash might not photograph as well but that's not what an acceptable future is about! Ian

*Absolutely YES. Two ticks ACT. Pixie

*This is an appalling set-back for the polital health of the country. He is an old man having nothing but defeat to his name. Everyone I have spoken to, whether ACT, Labour or National find this a most retrograde step. I think the ACT Party have completely lost their senses in appointing this austere, colourless, lack-lustre old man to lead the Party. Judy

*At least he brings ACT back to credibility. Shane

*NZ is in a deplorable state and I have reversed my plan of returning home from Australia where I've lived for 34 years. The sellout to Maori is of huge concern. Margaret

*He and his party will get my vote!! Key has let us all down. John

*Don Brash will be a saviour for disaffected ex-Nats like myself. Mike

*For sure. I for one will be voting for him even though I have always in the past voted National. Maybe at last we will have someone with some commonsense and affinity with what the people of NZ really want from our laws. Margaret

*His political agenda's are to the extreme. Elley

*Not sure... he never was the greatest raconteur and he doesn't have a good political sense. Ian

*I would like to say yes, however we will have to be careful that by taking too many votes away from National will more than likely put Labour back into power. MMP is too disruptive. We only have to look at the problems the Maori Party have caused. Gary

*I agree - John Key lost an opportunity of becoming a great PM (Blown it!). Robert

*Provided he addresses public debt, unsustainable welfare policies and rapacious Maori demands. Bruce

*At the very least, he will give National a wake-up call. Sheila

*National is about to be hit by the reality train and it is going to be messy. Dave

*And I wish him the best - he is the only one with the guts and foresight to dig this broke little country out of trouble. Doesn't realise we are BROKE? He seems to think we have a bottomless supply of money - oh yes - the taxpayers of course. Carolyn

*Don Brash in my opinion was the best man never to have been Prime Minister. Barry

*We definitely need a powerful alternative party. Lyn

*Good for National voters give Key a shock hope. Rae

*Maori have had it too good for too long. Roy

*Only in that he will poke the nats in the eye re their favouring and bending to Maori but I am not too sure how some aspects will go but at leastm there is something to raise the issues. Frances

*National are a party of dreamy aspirants who believe that, if they wish upon a star, (and kowtow to Maori,) their dreams will come true. They won't unless drastic action is taken. Don Brash has demonstrated that he understands why NZ is under-performing economically. He has the courage to spell it out and take the action necessary to get us back on track. Ron

*With Dr Brash taking over the ACT party we now have a feasable alternative to National. I for one will be giving both my votes to the Act Party.The National Party has not listened to the concerns of their supporters and deserve to loose at the next election. Desmond

*But only if its without John Banks, who was a poor quality minister. Lech

*If Brash convinces Key to move too far to the right too quickly, they will be gone by lunchtime. Jan

*Don Brash treats the Maori's as real people and not demi gods as John key does. Frank

*What at his age, and heading a pack of 'hasbeens"? Who said he will be returning to parliament? Are you all not missing the point here. Leah

*If Don Brash had remained leader of the National Party then N.Z. wouldn't be in the mess we're in now. Brash is N.Z's only hope. Lorna

*Finally someone to vote for and give National the boot, I cant wait! Fraser

*I certainly hope so. Don Brash is one of the few politicians around who can be counted on to act with integrity. My only fear is whether he is enough of a politician to resist the mudslinging which will come his way. It is a sad commentary on the times that we live in that men with honesty, integrity and principles do not often last in government! Michael

*Hopefully he will be the one to sort out race-based political parties..... Go NZ. Erin

*Hopefully he will get the people who care about this Country to vote for him, it is disturbing to see that 35% of GDP is made by small SMEs but the Govement of the day takes no notice of what they do & how many people they employ that has a huge influnce on the tax that is paid. Geoff

*It might wake up Key who thought he could sleep walk to a second term as PM. Laurie

*LET THE LEFT AND THE PC BRIGADE CALL ACT ULTRA-RIGHT, REDNECK OR WHATEVER...BUT WE NEED THIS...AND WE HAVE TO SEE THE BACK OF MAORI RACISM FOREVER. Pete

*Welcome back, Don. How we need you! Mike

*Rodney Hide had probably cooked the Act Party's goose, so someone else had to front the party. It gives dis-satisfied National Voters another option next election. Ivan

*Yes, yes, yes, yes, can't believe how many people think we can just keep borrowing money without the brown stuff eventually hitting the fan, WAKE UP PEOPLE, THIS COUNTRY IS IN TROUBLE, you won't get your benefit when we are bankrupt, one thing I love about the Don, always generates lively debate. John

*With the ACT infrastructure behind him, 'YES!'. At the helm of a brand new centre-right party 'yes'. Jon

*Lets get back to NZ for all NZ'ers equally not a select minority. TN

This week’s poll asks:

Will Don Brash’s return to parliament be good for the country?

*Not just good: absolutely essential!

Hopefully he will have enough numbers between ACT+National MPs that he will not only be Finance Minister but Prime Minister too.

Borrowing up to $1BILLION every week (like we did last week) is not just bad policy: it threatens the independent existence of NZ.

Only Don Brash and his 2025 Taskforce have the policies to restore NZ:

25% cut in state sector salaries & all benefits
Means testing super
Elimination of DBP
Elimination of Maori rights & settlements
Privatization of all SOEs, closing down KiwiRail, privatization of remainder of schools & hospitals
Eliminination of ERA, Unions, Holidays Act etc

And hopefully (the one thing I want that's not in the reports) an inquiry into the illegal behaviour of the Labour and Green parties since 1999. Sinner

*We need a more effective and credible Act party to increase general publics awareness of the dishonesty of the National Maori and Labour parties. John

*He is no more than an attention seeker that knows nothing. Kevin

*Yes please. Democracy has gone in NZ. We have gone to Australia, and will only come back when Key goes along with ALL of his dreadful legislation! Jennifer

*We have to stop borrowing and finish treaty claims. I totally agree with your comments in the new political landscape article. Bruce

*We might at last have some intelligence in politics. If he can't do it then this country will not be worth living in. John

*Never voted Labour, now won't vote National - only leaves one choice. Graeme

*At last I can see some hope of change. We need his wisdom and clarity - and courage. Janet

*He now needs to push his "one law for all" ideal and we will vote for him. Barry

*I haven't been so politically excited since I thought John Key was going to stand up for my rights at last - the rights of people who work hard, obey the law and pay tax. People who just want to raise their families and live a fulfilling life, people who witness justice being done in society daily...you know who you are!! Except this time I believe Don Brash will at least provide an alternative to other parties - someone to keep them honest...which is what Rodney said he would do but failed. I believe Don Brash is wiser than before and should keep his nose pretty clean this time around - not that what he did last time was any worse than this mob of idiots! Peter

*Act will have our vote in the hauraki elec; A three gen nat party mem. John

*National is somewhere up a backwater. Chris

*It can't be anything but good for the country. I'm sure he would be quite happy to be retired but he is so worried about the state of our nation that he has re-entered politics because he feels he just might be able to make a difference!! That says it all for me especially in view of the hard knocks he took when he was last here. I feel he will push for all his might to right the terrible escalating wrongs he obviously can see occurring and will then hand over the reins. I am cautiously optimistic but am worried about the absolutely useless Press we have in this country to put a positive slant on things instead of all their negativity. Investigative journalism and enquiring reporting seem to be extinct with one or two exceptions. B+H

*Can't see that he will make an ounce of difference. Steve

*He is too lofty, too academic, too remote. Michael

*I say NO even though I vote for ACT. David

*Key & his team have let us down badly, in fact they have been as dishonest as any of their predecessors. Ian

*He is in touch with reality as regards race relations, but I do not want to see any more assett sales. Pat

*Let's face, it can't be bad ... we are in trouble and we need someone to make some very tough decisions. I think Don Brash is just the man as long as he has the backing of financial hard hitters, and I think he does. Dianna

*The guy is past his useby date. Move on. Brian

*At last - someone to vote for! Alwyn

*His ego is far to big for him, he is just another has been. Graham

*Hard to give a yes/no answer, I would say probably as it depends on whether he can work amicably with National. I agree with his views on race relations and tighter control on expenditure but am concerned about his proposals for asset sales. Peter

*Most people have had a gut full of this Maori crap, it is deviding the country. Jim

*He seems the only one out there who speaks some common sense. Maureen

*As a man he is unappealing. As a politician he is extremist and frightening... he has so much money, himself and with access to. Rochelle

*I am very disappointed in what has been going on in the ACT party. I have been a very strong supporter of the ACT party and now they have absolutely destoyed my faith in them. I hope they don't get back in and disappear into oblivion. What Don Brash and Heather Roy have done is disgusting! Carol

*Agree to repeal the ETS and Seabed & Foreshore Act and they will take many national votes. Kevyn

*Brash is a has been and has hijcked ACT. Cant see ACT getting to the 5% threash hold or getting a seat. Carl

This week’s poll asks:

Will Don Brash’s return to parliament be good for the country?

*Probably will not make much difference. I do not trust Don Brash at all, like most of the MPs he is only out for what he himself can get for HIM. Elsie

*Having only ever voted National all my life and once been a member of the party, this election my vote will go to "Act" as I'm sure many others will as well. William

*When English took National to it's greatest defeat we heard the old refrain "Back to our grass roots." The level of deceit being foisted on Party Voters is now beyond the pale. Been voting national for over 40 years. Not any longer. Alan

*He did not do anything worthwhile when last in parliament. He is just a bully push over guy. Ian

*I have been 50yrs National and will now join Act as Iwi Key has sold us out. Donald

*Absolutely not! He, John Banks, Rodney Hide, all 'has beens'! Fay

*National has lost my confidence. Mike

*I hope they do well as it will put more pressure on the National party to listen to the people. Judith

*As a country we have been influenced by media etc to believe that he is radical. Somehow he must find an outlet to NZ where he can talk clearly & calmly, allowing NZ to discover he actually is middle of the road and will inspire people to live up to their own potential, rather than expect others to do it for them. This brings hope, vision and prosperity in family, community and country. Dorothy

*Brash by name - Brash by nature. DB will do more to divide this nation than he will to improve it. As Governor of the Reserve Bank he reached the zenith of his talents and it has been all downhill since then. Unfortunately his ambition outruns his ability to the detriment of the society he purports to serve..Michael

*He belongs to round table and only there for himself. He is a b*****d. Stu

*If he sticks to his Orewa Speech ideals. John

*National party has let us all down with race based politics. Hugely disappointed in them. Dell

*In as much as he may put the brakes on Nationals borrow and spend policies. The Act party is just that: An Act! It seems to have too many internal problem at the moment to become a credible force. Wayne

*Just be more of the same-old, same-old, AVARICIOUS, SELF-SERVING PIGS AT THE TROUGH. Mark

*At last there well may be an alternative whose policies I can accept !!!!!!! Maurice

*Yes, overwhelmingly yes! Is he the only politician to insist that no citizens should be privileged merely because of their race? Are there no other brave and honest men? Rob

*Should offer a refreshing and honest change to our politics. Jim

*Here is a person who is showing less and less loyalty which throws the question "why?" with no good answer with any credibility. Brent

*National have blown it. They have consistently ignored the majority view and have put in danger our democratic way of life. Alan

This week’s poll asks:

Will Don Brash’s return to parliament be good for the country?

*I'm so fed up with having to carry these lazy buggers who are forever standing there with their hands out for hand-outs! The greedy lazy Maori's just wantg it all and think those of us who are working to give it to them! Go to it Brash! I'm with you! Ray

*The charge of the Light Brigade, hopefully more successful. Martin

*Yes. It is an undeniable fact that NZ would be in much better shape economically and socially if Don Brash had succeeded in 2005. Instead, Clark and Cullen bribed enough of the mindless voting public to win narrowly, and subject the country to anothe 3 years of their ruinous policies. And almost unbelievably, National under John Key has arguably been even worse. Hopefully Don Brash will again articulate his vision for a fairer society freed from pandering to Maori deception and greed - to an extent that National will have to wake up and govern properly. John

*As yet another disgruntled ex-nat supporter, I too trust this will be a rude awakening for Mr smile-and-wave. He has proved to be the letdown of the century. Bring on the Don! John

*Time there was someone with vision for New Zealand and it's future. Dave

*Good news for ALL New Zealanders. John

*Don should/could/would be great for this country. Only problem is, how many blind Kiwis are able to see it? For example: - What was racist about his 2004 Orewa speech? NOTHING - yet Kiwis are STILL putting the boot into him over it. It's enough to make anyone just give up! John

*Don Brash is the leader New Zealand has been waiting for! He is clearly against special treatment and advantages for Maori as well as having a realistic view on the money-wasting policies of the National party. Act will have my vote at the next election for both the candidate and the party. Koreen

*They might yet get my vote away from National. Gary

*At least we will have a balance from the right pushing National to adhere to its mandate from the voters, or so we hope! Chris

*Hopefully, as well as cutting taxes, getting us out of the ets and bringing back the death penalty, he'll put a stop to the maori racist/anarchists pissing all over the rest of us. John

*We need a genuine right wing party! Nobody else represents equality anymore! Andy

*If is tops the blood letting of the countries assetts to the Maori favoured few then yes - I work damned hard and pay the most rates in the counrty and significant tax and nobody is listening - where are my handouts ? There aren't any I'm a New Zealander not a Maori, so I'm not entitled. Gary

*He must not renege this time (as he did on his Orewa speech). Mary

*My wife was not going to vote at all, but will now vote ACT. Go Don! Jack

*Mr Brash will certainly give voters a clear choice between right, centre and left. Something I hoped Key would give us but sadly, no. Brian

*A rejuvenated ACT party will have a tremendous impact on voter polls, so hopefully more citizens will support ACT and provide NZ with a credible option to all disenchanted previous National voters (like myself) with a hopefully positive reason to not vote that way ever again. Carl

*Trouble is he is a great economist but not really a politician - he stumbles and bumbles too much. Christopher

*LET US HOPE HE GETS WIDE SUPPORT! Laurie

*He is the only one with the guts to say what the people think. Bryon

*ACT now has the potential to be a viable alternative the failed John Key led Nats. Kevin

*We are all New Zealanders, one law for all and a refocus of fiscal management needed. Morrin

*The Key Government has failed economically and entrenched race based policies and legislation which is unfair to the bulk of the population. Their U-turn on climate change is also ludicrous . Tom

*Will not vote Nat again - now I have an alternative. Graeme

*Brash's return was like a breath of Spring weather to me. I had despaired of the political scene and still nursing my stupidity in having voted National in the past. I had felt depressed about N.Z. which was previously heading for part Maori domination with National as the lap dog. It needed a strong politician like Brash to awaken my interest and thousands like me. Colin

*I trust The Don more to follow out his pre election promise than what Key promised and didnt action. Vern

*50% of what he promotes is good sense - the other 50% is extremist and divisive. The trouble is he can't separate them, so becomes a political risk. John

*I might even join ACT or what ever it becomes again only because Don is making the right noises. But I will wait and see before I leap, I have been burned before buy these pollys. Ian

*Democracy gone wrong. The people voted Hyde in. The "Board" voted him out! Dave

*Yes definitely, it will be a great thing to have the voice of commonsense and racial fairness back in government. He will however be a target for ridicule by those who are sitting very comfortably cosied up to the current government and receiving preferential treatment by the truckload. I hope he remains strong in his endeavours to remove race privilege from this country. If only the Maori realised that he is in fact working FOR them - he will be the best thing ever for them. They will be able to join the rest of the country and the world, gaining respect for their qualifications and taken seriously on an equal footing with the rest of us. Rob

*Best news for a long time. David

*It might help get a policy that treats all of as as equals and not enhance separist policies. George

*Yes, shame it couldn't happen earlier, John Key should listen to him and work to save this country from being third world. Justice and fairness for every New Zealanders.Stop giving our wealth away. Jill

*So long as he does not sell off assets, & abolishes the waitangi tribunal, they will get my vote + 2. ( never voted for them before.) Stan

*As a national party supporter but no more after the FS&SB act I will be voting act - good on Brash. We said that national will get its just rewards and thats going to happen! Norm

the theft of their liberty as given to them by God.
To allow this meglomaniac to become once again -
the foolish dictator he aspires to be - would sign
the death warrant for our amazing country.

This week’s poll asks:

Will Don Brash’s return to parliament be good for the country?

*Rodney tarnished himself by spending voter finances on flights. Not the behavour of a perk buster. Rob

*You must be kidding, what sort of message does this fiasco send to the thinking public? John

*He is New Zealand's last chance. Ken

*He's a has been and is not the solution to the countries issues that he thinks he is. He is merely putting himself into a position as leader of a 'brand' that will give himself a profile. I think he is a lonely man and misses the stimulation of an important position as he had as Governor of the Reserve Bank. His recent tactics have surprised me and they do nothing but have a very negative impact on our political scene, but then, no one is in politics in NZ to make friends, such is the level our politics has succumbed to, thanks to the tactics of Act, the Greens,and Hone Harawira. John

*Of course it will be good for the country. Don Brash is the only politician who tells it as it is. This must be unpleasant for many of the general populace who are happy to wait until the international financiers call in their debts and the country is totally given to part-maoris. John

*Dissatisfied national voters can now vote against govt and other parties. Greg

*Strong decisions need to be taken to get NZ out of debt and on the road to recovery. Christine

*We need someone with a clear sense of economics in government. Alastair

*Because I will be voting for him! This will be a first as I have always voted for National in the past. Margaret

*Hopefully he will be someone who will keep National honest and true to their founding principles. Mark

*Dr. Brash carries limited baggage and will be an intelligent voice for common sense in Parliament. I hope he will avoid entanglements such as past hobnobbing with the Exclusive Brethren. Peter

*EMPHATICALLY NO! There are serious consequences to the current climate of divide and conquer. The people of the world are starting to rise up for a very good reason - the theft of their liberty as given to them by God. To allow this meglomaniac to become once again - the foolish dictator he aspires to be would sign the death warrant for our amazing country. Has anyone heard about the iminent deal to allow mining and oil exploration around the Golden Bay and Northern tip of the South Island of NZ? This must be petitioned against. Where do I sign! Or better still, who else would be equally horrified for this to happen? With support - the mere idea would be gone by LUNCHTIME Don Quixote Brash. Kath

*Who ever is in Government after the election will have to take massive steps to reduce spending to lower the amount we are borrowing. We need leadership from all in Parliament to lead the way by themselves taking a large pay cut to be followed by leading public servants doing the same. Brash would be the person to push this. Forbes

*I consider John Key to be a traitor to the principles he expounded during the last elections. Kees

*Failed politician from the past! Ron

*Don Brash has the political will to get NZ back on track for a one law for all policy and to reform the dire economic situation in the country. Helena

*I don't think that we have a real politition in Parliament at present. We need some thinkers, listeners and action takers.Don Brash is better than our present leaders. He will work with Winston Peters too. Rick

*If he can curtain the national party from its racist division of the country by creating a radical maori based agenda to the detriment of the majority of New Zealanders I will definately vote for his party and if I had the power I would see what could be done to obliterate John Key he is a total bastard. Sorry for this but I am very strongly against the line he has taken New Zealand to. David

*The only hope there is of preventing a Labour/NZ FirstCoalition gaining power. Catherine

*Brash by name - Brash by nature. Should he return to Parliament it is a receipe fro disaster. Maggie

*All I can say is thank goodness someone of this calbre has stepped up to the mark. It may however be too late to stop the exodus from our shores. Lawrie

*We need a leader that can put the brakes on goverment spending and apeasing minorities causing polorisation in NZ. Gregor

*Yes certainly if Don Brash can be instrumental in reversing the worst excesses favouring the maoris over the rest of NZ. This is the biggest single issue facing us right now and one which permeates most areas of legislation - nearly always negatively! But it has become one of many. There are very few aspects of government where it can be said that it is running well; too many are performing poorly indeed. We have now excessive socialism intertwined with political correctness and reverse racism. This toxic mix is what was once New Zealand!! Frank

*This man is possibly the worst person for the country since Roger Douglas, moreover Brash is likely to cause a race war! Hate the man personally. Rick

*No way. His nickname years back was the successful failure [broadbank etc!] Alan

*Probably the best thing that has happened in NZ politics for years. Brash seems as if he is the only one that seems to have a clue about getting the Country back on its feet. Ralph

*Unfortunately Rodney Hide has been demonised in the media and was a roadblock to Act improving in the polls. Also unfortunately, whilst Brash is better than Hide he is too old and tarnished to really make Act a force to be reckoned with in the next election. Act needed a new face with outstanding leadership skills and an ability to communicate a new vision for NZ to the wider public. Gary

Ask wealth creators like small business operators and developers whether
compliance and red tape has reduced over the last two years. The consensus
will be that the situation has got worse.

This week’s poll asks:

Will Don Brash’s return to parliament be good for the country?

Please don't forget that you can read the rest of the debates on this lively forum by clicking on the GENERAL DEBATE title above

*Abso-bloody-lutely. Also if he can give the man who saved NZ from economic oblivion before, Sir Roger Douglas, a hand in governing we'll certainly get back on the right track!!! Jim

*HOPEFULLY WILL PROVIDE A REALITY CHECK & BRING NATIONAL BACK INTO LINE. JOHN

*Your analysis is accurate and in my opinion Dr Brash is long overdue as an influencer of National Policy. I wish him every success in reforming the RADICALISM which is rampant within National. Jack

*I will probably vote for Act if they become cohesive as a Party and are strong on the law and order issue. Wendy
Brash has mana, class, experience, vision - what else can we ask for! Gert

*He firmly stands for values which he stood for years ago...I respect him for this...especially for equal treatment of ALL NZ-ERS!!! Adriana

*Don has a correct agenda on equal citizen rights for all citizens. Sorry to see rodney go after stirling work, but this new direction is at least 10 seats positive. Vern

*Don Brash inspires confidence and presents an example that other politicians appear unable, or unwilling, to attempt to match. No wonder they all appear so worried about his return to main-line politics. Eric

*At least it will show that National cannot walk all over the voters of this country. Tim

*I now have a party that I can vote for. Jim

*ACT has been a disaster under Rodney Hide the in fighting and his own use of Perks was pointing toward the demise of ACT at the next election. Hopefully Don Brash will lift ACT's polling and if he is returned with an increased number of MP's we may see a halt or slow down of the Maori influence and fiscal rectitude to stop the growth of our indebtedness.
It certainly gives me a place to put my vote! Irvine

*National does not represent the majority anymore.Undemocratic policies. Stuart

*I don't class myself as a racist (My Son in Law and granddaughter are Maori) BUT I am hoping that Don Brash will be good for NZ if only to stop this continual bullshit pandering to Maori. Te Reo, the Treaty, Foreshore and Seabed etc, it never stops and it is proving to be the downfall of our country. Key and his mob have got to go and hopefully that will be the end of the Maori Party too. With some decent leadership, some honesty, integrity and transparency, the new Government could then concentrate on getting a decent voting system installed and hopefully get NZ back on it's feet before too many more New Zealanders are hurt. Tony

*A very definite "yes". I have always voted National, and I will do so again this time round, but I will give my second vote to ACT, in the hopes that they will get a strong team into parliament, with some "guts". Alan

*Somebody has to toughen up and make decisions. Jan

*I will no longer vote for Act with Brash as leader. Carolyn

*I am unable to answer that. Brash left Parliament under a cloud (lack of personal integrity). How can he be trusted with 'affairs of the State" if he cannot manage his personal ones? Glenn

*He doesn't see New Zealand as it is. Money needs to be spent to Help ChCh and bad flood arears. Pauline

*All New Zealanders treated the same. John

*We deperately need an independent courageous voice. Lane

*National's lack of action in cutting down spending where it is desparately needed, is deeply depressing. Jasmine

*At Orewa Dr Brash courageously said that the Maori Seats should be eliminated. This is the time, perhaps the only time to avoid future civil war. James

*Brash is a has been. Clive

*Particularly if he gets enough people into parliament to stop the blackmailing Modi Party from their swindling antics!!!
A good dose of Piggy type right wing politics is exactly what this country needs after 9 years of left wing socialist bullshit from queer Helen & her mob & 3 years(nearly) of gutless John Key.
Hopefully Don will have the balls to follow through without giving in to the various forms of political blackmail that is practised by those hypocrits at Fort Fumble!!!!! Dave

*The best thing to happen to NZ Politics since the 2004 Orewa Speech. Rob

*We need to have the debate, he actually addresses the issues. David

*I have been a National supporter all my life but yesterday I signed up as an ACT party member. I did this out of sheer disgust with John Key's policies! I embrace Don Brash's views of eliminating all race-based privileges and return to an equality for all NZers no matter what their ethnicity. I'm hoping he'll also honour CIR particularly the anti-smacking. I will be actively touting my decision to my areas of influence forthwith. Tony

*At least he dares to say what has to be said and also does what he promises. Peter

*He may split the national vote and allow Labour back in. Douglas

*As long as he sticks to his principles - and gets ACT back on track. Fiona

*Brash will control govt spending. Key has no idea. Barry

*Brash's return will be beneficial, though the manner of his executing it while unfortunate will soon be forgotten. He needs to get some traction quickly and put a stop to the inane borrowing pathway that we are currently on. Peter

*We need men like Dr Brash in the driving seat. Murray