Yesh, Minishter

Voters seem not to be impressed by the Diva's old mate Winston's desperate grasping for the baubles of power, judging by Molesworth and Featherston's rolling poll, which puts NZ First below the five percent threshold. Given that Tauranga told Winston there was a bus leaving town and he should be under it, that means an election held today would see NZ First swept from Parliament.

Less certain is the fate of the other bauble-grasper, Peter Dunne, whose United Future Party seems fated to survive forever as a wraith-like entity thanks to Dunne's hold on Ohariu-Belmont. Then again, that's what they use to say about Winston and Tauranga. Present polling in detail:

• Labour 40.96
• National 39.56
• Greens 6.81
• NZ First 4.76
• Maori 2.14
• United Future 2.36
• Act 1.38

Meanwhile M&F report that Foreign Affairs and Trade have sent experienced communications man Brad Tattersfield (once very effective spin doctor for Bill Birch) over to Parliament to act as press secretary to Winston. We'd love to see the internal memo on that appointment. A list of the best watering holes in most major capitals and instructions to keep him there under wraps, we imagine. We hope there's suitable rehabilitation awaiting Brad on completion of this dangerous assignment.

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