Defeat
By 1999, National was holding onto power via an unstable coalition of former New Zealand First (and one Alliance) MPs. By contrast, Labour had established a friendly working relationship with the Alliance. Labour leader Helen Clark had improved her public image, while Jenny Shipley had difficulty connecting with the public. A series of minor scandals concerning National's management of various state organisations helped Labour win nearly 39% of the party vote and 49 seats, compared to National's 30.5% (39 seats). Potential National allies Act and United won only 9 and 1 seats, respectively.
Read more about this topic: Fourth National Government Of New Zealand
Famous quotes containing the word defeat:
“Mrs. Van Hopper: Most girls would give their eyes for a chance to see Monte.
Maxim de Winter: Wouldn’t that rather defeat the purpose?”
—Robert E. Sherwood (1896–1955)
“The rule for every man is, not to depend on the education which other men have prepared for him,—not even to consent to it; but to strive to see things as they are, and to be himself as he is. Defeat lies in self-surrender.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
“Victory has a hundred fathers but defeat is an orphan.”
—Galeazzo Ciano (1903–1944)