Labour and National "arrogant" over debate decision

NATIONAL BUSINESS REVIEW: Prime Minister Helen Clark and National Party leader John Key aren't backing down on their refusal to share the platform with minor party leaders during televised election campaign debates.

They say their two head-to-head debates are more important because there are only two candidates for prime minister.

ACT and the Greens say the decision is arrogant and amounts to an attack on MMP.

Mr Key said today it was locked in.

"This is going to be an election where people want to compare us," he said on NewstalkZB.

"A head-to-head gives New Zealanders the most clarity to see our different styles."

Miss Clark said the issue was discussed between the two parties at chief of staff level.

"The general view was that the most benefit for the viewing public comes from head-to-head debates -- people have a very clear choice, a Labour-led government or a right-wing government. Those issues are going to come out."

TV3 and TVNZ wanted to stage what they call MMP debates with the leaders of all eight parties represented in Parliament.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said yesterday it was clear National and Labour wanted to go back to the "winner takes all" system.

"Key has made it clear he does not support MMP and wants a referendum to overturn it," she said.

"Clark has made noises supportive of MMP recently but was a strong opponent in the 1990s, and this move shows where she really stands."

ACT leader Rodney Hide said the decision showed the arrogant attitude of going back to the "old club" arrangement where the National and Labour stitched up deals between themselves.

In 2005 there was a row when TV3 tried to exclude United future leader Peter Dunne and Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton from the MMP debate.

The network said eight was too many, but Mr Dunne and Mr Anderton went to court and TV3 had to let them take part.