Explore the archive
Find articles and conversations by date, subject or search expression.
Searching: posts Sorted by: newest Results: 91–120 of 146
Post
I've gotta admit feeling a little bit sorry for Key over the story of his offer to donate "a good part" of his PM's salary - should he win - to charity. One of those cases of damned if you do, damned if you don't.…
Post
Kudos to Crosby Textor for doing such a good job of changing the secret agenda debate to the issue of who taped the conversations (although whoever came up with the absurd idea of taking photos of John's rubbish should probably be put on leave until…
Post
The SST reports that English says that he will "never" challenge Key for the leadership. Yet I'm told that over the past couple of years, even to some in the press gallery, English hasn't made a secret of his future leadership ambitions around Parliament. Makes you…
Post
Last week Colin James wrote that behind National's one-page wonder policies there was actually a substantive body of work. The publicly-released work rights policy ("workplace policy", as the Tories call it) was only half a dozen bullet points long but James assured us there was…
Post
If most people knew as much as politics, economics, and how this country is run as they do about sport, the result would be a better country to live in. A better-informed citizenry would lead to, would demand, better government. Your thoughts?
Post
When there's a strike on, it's common practice for bosses to offer individual workers a bonus payment to scab on their comrades and return to work. Most workers spit on such offers, they know the best outcome in the long-term comes when they stand strong;…
Post
Pansy Wong's supposed outrage over ACC "shelling out $750,000 for staff to indulge in day spas, manicures, and botox" has nothing to do with the organisation's health and wellness programmes and everything to do with National's attempts to prepare the scheme for privatisation. First off,…
Post
Hitting the email circuit is a video on the leaks within the National party over the Hollow Men.
Post
What a week. National has been in meltdown over the secret recordings. Bill English's incredible initial reaction seemed like the launch of a coup - he repeatedly refused to voice confidence in Key and his basic understanding of working for families. But something obviously happened…
Post
I'm really starting to wonder why it's the worst academics who seem to get the most media, Maybe it's because the good ones don't make extreme statements. Today, we have Keith Rankin from Unitec arguing that, as we are in recession, we should be increasing…
Post
Maybe we should take submissions in the comments but my vote's with Michael Cullen's assertion from the House yesterday that the leaked tapes represent: an unorchestrated litany of truth. Classic.
Post
The clamour for 'policy' from National is actually a slight misnomer. What Kiwis want to know is the principles that National stands for as much as specific policies. We know what the Greens stand for, we know what the Maori Party stands for, we know…
Post
So, who stands to gain from National borrowing $5 billion if it becomes the Government? Ultimately, the people who lend the money are ones who walk away with the profit and in a time of international uncertainty in the financial markets and collapsing finance companies…
Post
Professor John Gibson from Waikato University says public servants should be paid less because they get paid more than their private sector equivalents and they enjoy their work. First, I would be highly suspicious the methodology of any study that claims to compare like with…
Post
You'd be hard pressed to have missed the story on what some National MPs have been caught saying behind closed doors. We've seen discussions over the content, questions on the law. Now Gordon Campbell asks: ...is it more unethical for a delegate to tape someone speaking candidly or a…
Post
Unemployment rose again last quarter but remains under 4%. It has now been under 4% for 16 of the last 17 quarters. Interestingly, the number of employed people also increased last quarter but more people came into the workforce who were previously not looking for…
Post
This just in from Radio NZ: Police are investigating a break-in at the electorate office of a senior Labour MP, David Cunliffe, in Auckland. Nothing was taken in the burglary but Mr Cunliffe's computer was apparently tampered with. Mr Cunliffe's office has confirmed a complaint…
Post
A reader has alerted us to this article from the NZ Herald where Bill English explains why he should resign or be sacked over his recorded statements at the National Party conference. Have a read for yourself - the analogy with the events of the…
Post
Here's Close Up from last and Mike Hosking giving John Key an absolute bollocking. Key tries to run Crosby Textor's new lines: "dirty tricks campaign" and "entrapment". Hosking doesn't give him an inch. Definitely worth a watch - if you're in a hurry fast forward…
Post
So, now we know that three National frontbenchers were recorded talking about a secret agenda at the cocktail do last Friday. Think about what this means: it is inconceivable that all three were somehow 'tricked' into talking about a secret agenda, inconceivable that all three…
Post
Tane's made the point before but it's worth making again: National may have a new frontman but at its core is largely unchanged - and since being ousted nearly a decade ago, members of the National Party Old Boys' Club have been plotting their return…
Post
John Key's claims that Labour has been digging through the rubbish outside his Helensville electorate office have been dismissed by Michael Cullen this morning as paranoia. However, CCTV footage revealed exclusively to The Standard suggests Mr Key might just be onto something. Remember John, it's…
Post
"the best solution is to say in private what you say in public" * Simple, really.
Post
The dreadful Judith Collins is once again peddling lies about sickness beneficiaries to try and soften the ground for National to throw our most sick and vulnerable citizens back into work if they ever regain power. In a press release this afternoon, Collins screams: "the…
Post
Here's the recent coverage from TV3 and political reporter Duncan Garner. On Bill English's comments regarding the sale of Kiwibank (aired August 4, 2008): On Lockwood Smith's hints at a secret agenda (aired August 5, 2008): [Apologies for errors in the previous videos, have re-uploaded…
Post
Sources tell us that National's President was overheard yesterday to remark "We think it was one of our Young Nats" regarding the National Party Conference revelations. Not only that: 'We think there is more to come." Sounds like rats in the Nats.
Post
After a mysterious three week absence, Drinking Liberally Wellington is back tomorrow evening. Here's the email: We're only half way through a week overflowing with political news so there should be plenty to discuss over a beer tomorrow at the Southern Cross ;) Come join…
Post
National's attempt to contain the meltdown from Bill English's secret agenda comments at the National conference and on TV1 collapsed when it emerged Lockwood Smith was also talking about a secret agenda at the conference. Now, the fallout is raining down on them. So, National…
Post
If you didn't already have enough doubts about whether to trust John Key, Bill English and Lockwood Smith by virtue of the recent revelations here's another one to ponder. A promise to resign over future policy isn't new territory for the Nats. Neither is failing to keep it (click image for larger…
Post
So National has finally reverted to the 'stolen emails' defence to combat the damaging recordings from the weekend's party conference. I'm only surprised it's taken them this long - the misdirection tactic is classic Crosby Textor and it's served the Nats well in the past.…