HLM – Chapter 846 Important News

Important figures soon arrived one after another: Alexander and his wife, the male party leader Adams Bogus, and other key members of the Green Party entered together.

Once inside the venue, Adams took the microphone and said, “Friends, colleagues, and family members, let’s give a warm round of applause to welcome our old friends—the Chairperson of the Labour Party National Committee, Reggie Foster, Vice Chair Derek Ewin, Vice Chair Kevin G. Bertrand, the Union Chair…”

Next to appear was naturally Clark Boken, someone Wang Bo was quite familiar with. They had met at Sack’s daughter’s baby shower, and Wang Bo also remembered encountering him once at the airport when Boken was seeing off his parents.

Recalling the past, Wang Bo looked at Mayor Sack in surprise and asked, “Was this planned a long time ago? That time you invited Chairperson Boken to the gathering—was that a sign of this?”

Mayor Sack nodded. “Yes, cooperation between the two parties isn’t a small matter. Discussions started last year. By the time Boken attended my gathering, both sides had basically reached an agreement.”

Wang Bo felt a bit frustrated with himself—his political awareness had been too low; he should have noticed some signs back then.

His frustration stemmed from the fact that not long ago, he had tried to leverage the Labour Party’s help to bring quite a few benefits to Sunset Town.

Qingyang, noticing his expression, asked what was wrong. Wang Bo explained.

After hearing him out, Qingyang chuckled softly, “In politics, you can’t worry about face. How many benefits they gave us—was it because we forced them? Of course not, they did it willingly. So we have a clear conscience.”

“Actually, you should be glad about this. If Boken comes to you, you could say you already knew the two parties would form an alliance. So what’s the difference between joining the Green Party or the Labour Party?”

The applause grew louder as the main members of the Labour Party entered the venue, all wearing broad smiles.

Chairperson Adams stood at the podium at the front of the hall and said, “Dear colleagues and family, I know that last week the National Party government released the financial budget for next year.”

“However, the contents of the budget are disappointing and show that the current government is out of touch with the people, formulating policies that are disconnected from the real needs of New Zealanders.”

“So we unanimously believe it is time to change the status quo. New Zealanders need change. New Zealand society needs change. We are being left behind by the rest of the world. Our government needs a new style. We need a government that respects all New Zealanders, not a party that only speaks for a few.”

Intense applause erupted. Someone raised a glass in the audience, shouting:

“We need fairness!”

“New Zealand does not allow dictatorship!”

“Let’s make our country better!”

Wang Bo raised his glass too and took a sip—hmm, not bad.

“In light of this, I am about to announce some news. An important announcement that may change New Zealand’s political landscape and leave a significant mark in history…”

Adams paused there, like a TV host teasing a commercial break. Wang Bo feared he might say, “Stay tuned after the ad.”

Of course, he didn’t. What he said next was: “Now, let us welcome Chairperson Foster to join me in announcing this news…”

The robust and energetic Labour Party Chairperson walked onto the stage with a big smile, waving to the audience as if on a campaign trail. Wang Bo noticed many young women in the crowd showing admiration for the elder chairperson.

On stage, the two coordinated and spoke in unison: “In the next election, we will join forces to form an alliance, collectively challenging the current National Party government of New Zealand!”

Although Wang Bo was mentally prepared, and everyone else at the venue was too, the announcement still drew gasps and excited chatter.

Then, loud applause broke out again.

From this point on, New Zealand’s second- and third-ranked parties were joining forces to challenge the current leader—the National Party—in next year’s general election.

Next came the informal gathering. Sure enough, after chatting with several key Green Party leaders, Clark Boken found Wang Bo and smiled: “Were you surprised by the news of our cooperation?”

Following Qingyang’s advice, Wang Bo said, “No, of course not. I have a few friends in the political circle who hinted at this. That’s why I joined the Green Party. Since the two parties are forming an alliance, it doesn’t matter which one I join, right?”

Boken laughed heartily. “Exactly, it’s all the same. We are now brother parties. Actually, the Labour and Green parties have always supported each other on many policies and positions. We should have cooperated a long time ago, shouldn’t we?”

That made sense. Historically, the two parties had been close, supporting the retention of New Zealand’s state-owned assets and manufacturing industries, and wanting energy companies to be owned by New Zealanders rather than foreign investors.

After forming the alliance, the two parties would move even closer.

Wang Bo had predicted this: in the future, the two parties would collaborate more tightly, supporting each other’s legislators’ motions and bills. The leaders would interact widely, campaign for each other, and invite each other to their party events.

Just as the tropical cyclone had recently passed, a political storm was about to hit New Zealand.

The day after the gathering, a press conference was held to announce the alliance. The leaders signed a memorandum of understanding, officially declaring their joint challenge to the National Party for next year’s election.

As Wang Bo expected, the news immediately made the front pages, dominating major media outlets.

Leaving the hotel, Wang Bo saw Winston Downs of New Zealand First ranting on television:

“Two different parties, yet why abandon your own party’s position to unite? New Zealand First will participate independently in the election. We just want to govern this country with our own policies.”

“If I were a Green Party member, why should I sacrifice my party’s stance to support Labour? If I were a Labour supporter, why harm my party to support the Greens?”

“If you are a supporter of New Zealand First, you would never ask yourself this question, because such strange things never happen in First!”

Eva nodded. “This guy really knows how to talk.”

Qingyang nodded too. “Yes, but if First weren’t the National Party’s loyal lapdog, his words would be even more impressive.”

Wang Bo laughed. “Who cares? I’d rather focus on next year’s mayoral election in our town!”