David Seymour has admitted a new populist, race-baiting policy idea was stolen from New Zealand First.
The ACT Party wants to slash the number of MPs in Parliament from 120 to 100. Most of that cut will come from slashing the number of electorates from 71 to 54, including abolishing all seven Māori seats.
If the bill passed, it would go to a referendum. Winston Peters announced an almost identical policy at his campaign launch last year - in fact, slashing MPs and Māori seats were both so-called bottom lines.
The policy is a turnaround for Mr Seymour, who repeatedly criticised New Zealand First during the election campaign.
When asked why he stole the party's policy if he doesn't like them, Mr Seymour was frank.
"Because even Winston Peters has a good idea from time to time, and we've stolen his only good one."
The public has been asked about the idea before: a 1999 referendum on reducing the number of MPs to 99 found 81.5 percent in favour.
The ACT Party discussed a rebrand at Sunday morning's AGM, as it desperately needs a shakeup. Its sole MP, Mr Seymour, gained more than 3000 more votes in his electorate than the party did in the 2017 election.
He denied that abolishing the Māori seats was a populist policy, saying it was simply the "right policy".
"Māori are more than capable of getting elected to Parliament without special seats."
He's also resurrected the catchphrase of controversial former ACT Party leader Don Brash: "One law for all."
"I think we should have one law for all regardless of the circumstances," he told Newshub. "Māori are actually over-represented in Parliament."
Other than the Māori seats, Mr Seymour wouldn't specify which other electorates could be scrapped - but it's unlikely to be his Epsom seat.
With just 60 people turning up to hear him speak at the AGM, that seat is the party's only lifeline.
Newshub.
