A comment on coalition options from Populuxe1 at The Standard:

I am yet to be convinced that a Labour-Greens coalition would be anything but dysfunctional, and there is no way in hell that Labour will even entertain the idea of coalition, or even a ten foot barge pole, with Mana. Mana is political poison – it will only ever be a cross-bench party, and not a long-lasting one.

The problem with Mana is this: It’s an unstable Frankenstein’s monster sewn together for convenience from Maori activists alienated by the Maori Party, and old skool trade union socialists. Tino rangatiratanga is at the most basic level incompatible with State ownership and citizen equality. Eventually it will fall apart.

Labour and the Greens are shambling centre-wards and have little rapport with people like Minto and Bradford, and every time Harawira opens his mouth he offends around 73% of the population. I’d almost be willing to bet money it won’t happen.

Hone Harawira and Mana would be very difficult coalition partners, but if they remain a one MP party the odds are they won’t be necessary to make up the numbers for a centre and left coalition.

It will be difficult enough for Labour and Greens to work together in coalition, especially if the junior partner is led by a determined and focussed leader alongside a fuzzy uncertain Labour leader.

More comment (from ‘fatty’):

“The problem with Mana is this: It’s an unstable Frankenstein’s monster sewn together for convenience from Maori activists alienated by the Maori Party, and old skool trade union socialists. Tino rangatiratanga is at the most basic level incompatible with State ownership and citizen equality.”

I’ve heard many political scientists say that…but its because Mana doesn’t subscribe to classic political ideological paradigms. From what I can see, their policies are far more coherent than the ‘third way’ shambles that Nationa/Labour have delivered us since the 80s. The neo-tribalism we have thanks to the Pakeha definition of biculturalism is not normal, nor should it be accepted.

I think many will question the coherence of Mana and Harawira, and how realistic and practical Maori orientated socialism would work even within the tribalism of Maoridom.

Mana want reduced economic inequality, equity, and cultural equality…its not that hard to get your head around.

The ideals aren’t hard to get your head around, but how to achieve them fairly are much more difficult nuts to crack.

Also, this ‘Frankenstein’s monster sewn together for convenience’ is an illusion perpetrated by right wing bloggers and an ignorant media. Sue Bradford, John Minto, and Matt McCarten are all class focused but have a long history of activism for Maori rights. Hone is Maori focused, but has also focused on economic inequality.

I think there will be far more than “right wing bloggers and an ignorant media” who would view a Harawira/Bradford/Minto/McCarten deciding vote bloc in a coalition with some concern.