Earlier today I blogged about Jane Clifton’s belief that Maurice Williamson could be the next speaker. She also suggested there could be a wild card in the mix.
Then later on today she tweeted this:
@tauhenareIs it true you’re making a run for Speaker post-Lockie? U wd look ok in the platinum blonde wig #batmancapeabonus
— Jane Clifton (@rumpole3) September 7, 2012
Tau Henare has responded in the affirmative.
And so it is all on. As this is not a government appointment there is huge potential for some embarrassment now. Standing Order 18 and 19 is clear:
18 Two members nominated
If two members are nominated for election as Speaker, the election is decided by a personal vote. In the event of a tie, the Clerk again
calls for nominations.19 More than two members nominated
(1) If more than two members are nominated for election as Speaker,—
(a) the bells are rung for seven minutes; after the bells have stopped the doors are closed and locked:
(b) the Clerk states the names of the members nominated and calls on each member, in alphabetical order, to vote for one of the candidates:
(c) members vote by standing in their places on being called by the Clerk and stating the name of the member for whom they vote; a member may abstain:
(d) if a member receives the votes of a majority of the members voting, the Clerk declares that member elected:
(e) otherwise, the member with the fewest votes is eliminated and the votes are taken again for the remaining members until their number is reduced to two:
(f) when the number of members is reduced to two, the election is decided by a personal vote as provided in Standing Order 18.
(2) In the event of a tie in any personal vote, the Clerk calls for nominations for election again.
(3) Where, under paragraph (1)(e), there is more than one member with the fewest votes, that vote is taken again. If, after the vote is retaken, there is still more than one member with the fewest votes, the Clerk must determine by lot which member is to be eliminated.
The Labour Party would be strategically smart to back Henare to embarrass the government. They probably won’t though. The Maori party will get leaned on heavily, but they might stay strong to get one of the Bros the job.
If all of the opposition parties and Maori Party support Tau, then with his own vote he could get 61 votes and become speaker.
Labour (34) + Green (14) + NZ First (8) + Maori (3) + Hone + Tau = 61
Time to buy up some popcorn.
