(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – National party leader John Key is the top choice of voters in New Zealand for the country’s top political job, according to a poll by AC Nielsen released by Fairfax Newspapers. 39 per cent of respondents would prefer to have Key as prime minister, down four points since June.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – National party leader John Key is the top choice of voters in New Zealand for the country’s top political job, according to a poll by AC Nielsen released by Fairfax Newspapers. 39 per cent of respondents would prefer to have Key as prime minister, down four points since June.
Current prime minister and Labour party leader Helen Clark is second with 32 per cent—up two points in a month—followed by current foreign minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters with three per cent.
Clark has acted as New Zealand’s prime minister since December 1999. In November 2006, Don Brash—who had served as the conservative National party’s leader since October 2003—announced his resignation and was substituted by Key, who was then finance spokesman.
In the September 2005 ballot, Labour elected 50 lawmakers to the 121-seat House of Representatives, and assembled a coalition government with the Progressives. United Future and New Zealand First agreed to support the administration in confidence and supply votes for three years. National finished second, with 48 legislators.
Earlier this month, published reports claimed that New Zealand First received multiple donations from the Vela family’s thoroughbred and fishing companies from 1999 to 2003, which were never declared. Peters called the allegations "without substance, without detail, without facts and (…) downright lies," adding, "Don’t you guys [the media] go to any trouble because I’ll be bringing it with me."
The next legislative election is expected to take place in September 2008.
Polling Data
Who would you prefer as prime minister?
|
Jul. 2008 |
Jun. 2008 |
May 2008 |
|
|
John Key (Nat.) |
39% |
43% |
45% |
|
Helen Clark (Lab.) |
32% |
30% |
28% |
|
Winston Peters (NZF) |
3% |
2% |
5% |
Source: AC Nielsen / Fairfax Newspapers
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,049 New Zealand voters, conducted from Jul. 9 to Jul. 15, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
