NZ First accuses National of somersault on MMP

ONE NEWS: There has been a scathing response to the National Party and its idea of a referendum on MMP.

National leader John Key says part of its election policy will likely include plans for a referendum in 2011 to see if people want a change, and if they do, a second vote later on.

But critics are accusing Key of trying to go back to old ways and systems simply to get an electoral advantage.

MMP Mixed Member Proportional was introduced in 1996 following a history of a First Past the Post electoral system.

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters says the reality is you have to ask if MMP is working better than any other system.

He says many people will remember what it was like under first past the post between 1984 and 1996 when parties abandoned their manifestos and governed for the few and the very few.

Peters says National passed laws enabling MMP back in 1993 and it is extraordinary National is now doing a somersault given that all the key players who were there in 1993 are still sitting on the party's front bench.

But Key says it is not about removing a system that disadvantages his party, but rather a continuation of a policy National has had at the past two elections.

He wants to continue MMP but says there is an overwhelming view that people have not had a chance to confirm MMP.

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the government has made the system work fairly well and many more voices have come into the policy and legislation making processes than ever before.

Victoria University political scientist Therese Arseneau says any review of MMP should look into what is wrong with the current system and to fix it.

She says one of the concerns people have is how easy it is for some parties to enter parliament.