Silly Spin

Helen Clark explaining why she kept Dover Samuels and Mita Ririnui on as Ministers outside Cabinet:

MPs Dover Samuels and Mita Ririnui have been rewarded for their loyalty - despite being rejected by Maori in their electorates.

Mr Samuels lost Te Tai Tokerau and Mr Ririnui lost Waiariki, both to Maori Party candidates.

But they have both managed to keep hold of their outside-Cabinet portfolios, both as Ministers of State along with a raft of associate responsibilities.

The Prime Minister says if the foreshore and seabed issue had not come along, they would be electorate members of Parliament.

Helen Clark says they have been loyal to Labour and that is reflected in the decisions.

Let's consider another Maori MP, Nanaia Mahuta. She voted against the Foreshore and Seabed Act (with permission from Helen) and retained her seat. Now she has been rewarded with a Cabinet Post. So if the Foreshore and Seabed hadn't come along would Nanaia have been elevated to Cabinet?