“What’s become clear today is that Labour, who should be banished, could be back. And back with two very bad sidekicks,” Seymour said, referring to prospective coalition parties the Greens and Te Pāti Māori.
When asked about Seymour’s comments by reporters on Tuesday, Labour leader Hipkins said it was “desperate language”.
“Parties who are confident in themselves in Government don’t talk about banishing their opponents – that’s generally third-world stuff.”
Hipkins went on to say he was being “very realistic” about the poll.
“It is a snapshot in time and, as I’ve said… there are 2.5 years to go and we have a lot of work to do.
“New Zealanders voted for change at the last election and the message for us from that is that we need to change as well.”
Seymour, when asked on Tuesday to clarify his “banished” comments, said Labour “shouldn’t be on the Treasury benches”.
“They’ve been reckless, they’re run up huge amounts of debt – that’s led to high inflation and… high interest rates which are hurting Kiwi families.”
Newshub.