Peters narrows Labour refusal to Hipkins-led party as it stands now

By Centrist

NZ First leader Winston Peters told Centrist he is talking specifically about the Labour Party “with Hipkins leading it” when he says he will not deal with Labour, and does not want that position interpreted beyond the current facts.

Peters said he had already made clear in November 2022 that Labour were “cheaters and liars” and that he would not go with them in 2023. He said he later reinforced that position because Chris Hipkins was part of the “cabal” that “lied” to him, and said he has “got no intention of ever dealing with them again”.

When asked whether that position should be read more narrowly as applying to the present Labour leadership line-up, Peters agreed, saying the issue is “the Labour Party with Hipkins leading it”. He said he was not prepared to answer hypothetical questions about scenarios that do not currently exist.

Peters repeatedly framed his position as one based on present facts rather than future possibilities. “Everything you deal with in this business is the here and now,” he said. “I’m not in a casino here. I’m in a fact-checking place.”

Pressed on whether a future change in Labour’s leadership or line-up could alter the situation, Peters declined to engage, saying only that he was dealing with “the facts that are right here right now”. He also said he expected media attempts to broaden his remarks, but insisted they would not get a wider answer from him.

Read more over at Centrist

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