'Mainstream' Brash signals intention to divide

"Dr Brash has clearly signalled that a National Government would be divisive and elitist," CTU president Ross Wilson said today.Don Brash said last night that he does not regard Helen Clark, or anyone else who rejects National Party ideology, as a 'mainstream New Zealander'.

"It's obvious he intends to condemn more than half the country to 'outsider' status and that is a recipe for divisive Government and a bitter and divided country," Ross Wilson said.

"A hallmark of Helen Clark's government has been an inclusive approach to economic and social development and we have seen strong economic growth, low unemployment and increasing social cohesion as a result."

"Our national interest as a small country requires us to continue to work together," Ross Wilson said.

"Many of the National Party's policies, including industrial relations, are divisive," he said. "Dr Brash's arrogant and offensive comments last night signal that his style of Government would be divisive as well."