United Future MP breaks ranks

United Future MP Marc Alexander has breached his party's policy of not saying which party it would prefer to coalesce with after the election by nailing his colours to National.

He slammed MPs who don't give an answer to a straight question of preference, a group that includes his leader, Peter Dunne, as well as New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

He also slammed Social Development Minister Steve Maharey, saying he could not stand him and he did not trust him.

"I think John Tamihere's recollection of him [smarmy] is pretty much on the button," said Mr Alexander, the party's hardline law and order spokesman, referring to Mr Tamihere's interview with Investigate magazine.

United Future has worked closely with Labour for the past three years under a confidence and supply agreement.

Mr Alexander's comments are not likely to be welcomed at United Future's campaign launch in Auckland today, where Mr Dunne is expected to even-handedly condemn both parties: not only warning Labour that he will no longer tolerate "social engineering" through the "guise" of private member's bills but condemning National's "cold heart".

He will emphasise that United Future does not favour one party over another. Mr Alexander does not share that sentiment.

"I'm just sick and tired of all these politicians when they are asked a straight question 'who would you prefer to work with?' and none of them will say anything," he told the Weekend Herald. "I think they are nuts. I just refuse to shut up any more."

Mr Alexander also stated his preference this week at a multi-party Grey Power meeting in Christchurch. He had told the meeting that his personal preference was with National and that although United Future had had a supply and confidence agreement with Labour, "after three years my supply of confidence has run out".

"I've had a good relationship with Phil Goff but could I work with Steve Maharey? Probably not."

Asked why the bad feeling, he cited dealing with him when trying to advocate for landlords who he felt had been "screwed" by the Residential Tenancies Act.

He was in Parliament because of law and order issues. "That's the thing that drives me the most. On those issues I think I can work much better with National than I'll ever be able to work with Labour."

Asked if his comment would make it difficult for him if United Future ends up being in coalition with Labour, he said it might "but the way I look at it is you work with the hand you are dealt".

"But I can still have a preference as to what hand I'd rather have."

Mr Dunne said yesterday that he would rather MPs stuck to the official position but believed Mr Alexander was stating a personal preference in respect of law and order policy and so he was less concerned about that.

Mr Alexander is a Christchurch list MP and the only non-Christian in the United Future caucus.