One Cook Islands party could hold balance of power
The new One Cook Islands party is being touted as possibly holding the balance of power when it comes to deciding which party will govern the country.
Transcript
The new One Cook Islands party is being touted as possibly holding the balance of power when it comes to deciding which party will govern the country.
An early count shows the Democratic Party currently has 11 seats while the Cook Islands Party has won ten.
One seat is tied, while the One Cook Islands party has two seats.
Its leader Teina Bishop, told Leilani Momoisea that it's too early to begin talks with either party, as the results will likely change once all the votes have been tallied.
TEINA BISHOP: Well at the moment, because there's so many advanced votes and postal votes it's hard to say. There will definitely be some big changes.
LEILANI MOMOISEA: A very close race, do you think, but happy to have secured two seats?
TB: Yes, very happy. We were actually expecting three at the most but two is enough and we are quite happy with that.
LM: And from the results it looks like the margins are big enough that you perhaps don't have to worry about those two seats in terms of special votes?
TB: Yes, that's correct. There's no worry about our seats. And in fact in both our situations the numbers will increase, the numbers of votes for us will increase.
LM: And what do you think about it being so close in other areas, what do you think that says about the previous government?
TB: Yeah. I think this is a great signal about the tax reform that we did that not many people were happy with it.
LM: So people are wanting to see change, you think?
TB: I think it's just, I think the PR wasn't done properly, there wasn't enough dialogue. But any tax issue in an election year is not a good political move and of course the situation, taxing of the old people, the grey power influence.
LM: It has been suggested that your party will play king-maker essentially as to who will govern Cook Islands ultimately. Do you see yourselves as playing that role?
TB: Well, at the moment we are just interested to do what is best for the country and if that's the role we have to play then yes, that's the role we have to play. That's what people speculate but at the end of the day our two seats are important to form a government at this stage.
LM: Is there any indication, can you give us any indication as to what party you are leaning towards, or have you been in discussions with either party?
TB: No discussions yet, it is too early to do any talking at this stage because it's not really about who, which party we go with, it's more where is the number that will stabilise the government of the day. I think that is more important.
LM: Are you savouring that though? That perhaps the leaders of either party will have to come to you and broker some kind of deal?
TB: Well that's natural in politics I think, in a situation like that.
LM: You're looking forward to it?
TB: Oh yes, of course.
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