4.30PM: Gays and lesbians have nothing to fear from the formation of a new, as yet to be named, conservative Christian political party, according to a Massey University-based observer of the religious right. The rampantly anti-gay Destiny NZ party has folded this afternoon, saying it is making way for a new party headed by ex-Destiny NZ leader Richard Lewis and ex-United Future MP Gordon Copeland. Copeland has vigorously voted against gay- and lesbian-friendly law changes such as Civil Unions, which were also attacked by Destiny NZ and its guru Brian Tamaki. Associate Professor Peter Lineham, of Massey's School of Social and Cultural Studies, and an openly gay man, says that although there is potential for a conservative Christian party to break the 5% threshold and enter Parliament, the leadership of the newly-announced party will not make that happen. "Had they chosen a more effective leadership, there would be more at stake for gays and lesbians," says Lineham. He believes a strong party would look to a charismatic leader such as a popular MP to break the 5% parliamentary threshold. Taito Philip Field, the ex-Labour MP "could have made that happen because of his strong following amongst conservative Pacific Island voters," says Lineham. Field was in discussion with Destiny regarding a role in the new party but is currently blemished by the threat of court action stemming from allegations of corruption and bribery. The new party seems to be putting its faith in Gordon Copeland's ability and political experience to take them into Parliament, "but Copeland won't make it as a constituent MP and this party won't make it," says Lineham. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 18th September 2007 - 4:46pm