escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

Mouseover links for full page descriptions

Archived Press Releases 2007 1st May 2007

National comes under attack

(1st May 2007)

The National party has been accused of being out of touch with the issues that concern thousands of New Zealanders.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust says they are very disappointed that the safety of New Zealanders does not even feature in Nationals vision for the future and accuses leader John Key of being totally out of touch with the concerns of New Zealanders.

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar was commenting after National Party leader John Key told the Southern regional conference that his vision for the future has three themes – economy, education and environment.

Mr McVicar said while these issues are admirable they were worthless if New Zealanders were not able to enjoy them. "New Zealanders are progressively living behind locked doors and security systems as violent crime defies gravity and spirals upwards".

"Mr Key says we owe a debt to those that came before us, and we do, but many good New Zealanders died in past wars to ensure future generations could live in relative freedom and security".

"These brave soldiers must be turning in their graves to watch the escalation of violent crime today, and it looks like National does not have the courage or vision to reverse the failed law and order policies of the past."

"John Key says National will raise their sails and catch the draft of the new millennium, if they are going to do that they will need to listen to the concerns of the public a lot better than they are currently doing."

"Get Law and Order right – the rest will follow," said Mr McVicar.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.