Moral Coalition ‘anti-labour’ (Press, 14 January 1987)

On 14 January 1987, Deputy Prime Minister Mr Palmer commented on the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, labelling it as an anti-Labour group that is attempting to present itself as Christian. Palmer expressed skepticism regarding the coalition's impact on the upcoming General Election, stating that their claims of being apolitical were dubious given their evident anti-Labour stance. He compared them to the Moral Majority movement in the United States, suggesting that they lack genuine Christian virtues such as tolerance. Emphasising the Labour Party's commitment to moral principles such as compassion and support for the vulnerable, Palmer asserted that the coalition does not hold a monopoly on moral issues. Tensions escalated when the National Party threatened to expel coalition supporters, prompting a strong response from the coalition's national spokesman, Mr Barry Reed. Reed warned that such an action could result in National losing the election, as he highlighted the coalition's significant support, referencing a petition that had garnered over 750,000 signatures opposing homosexual law reform. This petition was particularly relevant to the coalition's strategy, as they aimed to contest National’s deputy leader, Mr George Gair, who had supported the reform. Additionally, Mr Craig Young, a researcher studying the coalition for his master's thesis at the University of Canterbury, concurred with Palmer's assessment that the coalition had exaggerated its political significance. Young noted that the coalition's focus on homosexuality and single-issue populism might backfire, possibly galvanising opposition against them. By aligning closely with the National Party, the coalition could unwittingly provide the Labour Party with a clear target for their campaign. Young pointed out that the coalition suffers from a lack of intellectual engagement and draws its ideological approach from the American Moral Majority, a movement that has been unsuccessful in New Zealand politics since 1983. He challenged the coalition's assertions about their ability to mobilise the 835,000 signatories of the anti-homosexual reform petition, questioning both the actual number of voters who signed and the current level of their commitment to the issue. In summary, Palmer and Young both cast doubt on the Coalition of Concerned Citizens' influence in the impending election, labelling it as an extreme right-wing group with potential weaknesses in its appeal and strategy within the wider political landscape of New Zealand.

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