TV3 Poll 9-9-07

Interesting results:

National 47%
Labour 37%
Greens 7%
NZ First 3.2%
Maori 1.8%
Act 1.5%
United Future 0.1%
(n.b. assuming that JAP is also 0.1% - not listed)

That transfers into
National 60
Act 2 (Heather Roy will be happy with this result)
United Future 1
Govt. of 63 seats.

Labour 47
Greens 9
Maori 4
JAP 1
Opposition of 61 seats.

What transpires here is that National has a slim majority of 2 seats. Labour is only 3 seats down on the last election results. This result will give Labour hope, according to PM Helen Clark - whose comments (and the video) can be found here. http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/PoliticsVideo/tabid/370/articleID/34332/Default.aspx#video

Nevertheless, this poll is traditionally viewed as "pro-Labour" and yet still National governs, this should be a concern for the Government, especially as the vote for its centrist support parties (many of whom's voters could never vote Labour) have flocked to John Key's National.

Instead of attacking Mr. Key, perhaps Labour could focus on consultation for new-generation policies for example, the further extention of health provision concerning dental care (NZ's rate of tooth decay is sky rocketing, especially amongst those who simply cannot afford to see a dentist), gradualistic extentions to paid parental leave, and a small shifting of tax thresholds.
This will undermine the Opposition who will be actually required to discuss policy, whether they come up with their own ideas or simply come down on the wrong side will be up to them.