Labour to seek consensus over child poverty
Jacinda Ardern intends to reach out to National to try and furnish a bi partisan approach to dealing with child poverty. It is a good idea, but I don’t like her chances.
politicans
bill english
Jian Yang and his residence application
Just before the election news broke that National MP Jian Yang had previously taught in a Chinese University training spies. A recent OIA release of his immigration application raises further issues.
So there was a housing crisis after all
The briefing to incoming Housing Minister Phil Twyford shows clearly that a crisis in housing developed under National’s watch.
National reverts to type
Bill English has claimed that it is not the role of National to make Parliament run properly.
IMF: higher taxes for rich will cut inequality and won’t hurt growth
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it now favours higher taxes on the rich and has demolished the myth this might adversely affect […]
Ten Reasons for National to do another term
A tongue in cheek list of reasons why it may be best for National to form the next Government.
National no friends
In a sign of desperation Bill English rang Winston Peters on the weekend but the call was not answered. Clearly National realises that waiting for the special votes to be released will significantly weaken its bargaining position.
English, Joyce, Bennett et al desperate to keep their power?
This might look like smart politics for National to draw the Greens in with National but a more primary motivation might be that English/Joyce and co. are desperate to form a coalition with anyone, otherwise as individuals, they’ll certainly lose their power within the party in the inevitable shakeup.
Metiria Turei’s legacy
What she did wasn’t a mistake.
Two ticks red
Who I am going to vote for and why.
Vote for compassion and competence
National has created the perception that it is a better manager of Government than Labour and is suggesting that it is more compassionate. Neither claim is true.
Nats “discovered poverty last week” – and will forget it just as quickly
Ardern’s jab that English “discovered poverty last week” was the line of the debate. After the election National will forget it again just as quickly, if the record of the last nine years is anything to go by. Do you want to vote for that?
Gower – Nats the biggest liars
Sure would be good if some other media called the Nats out on this too.
Fear and loathing in Aotearoa
It is difficult to understand National’s election campaign. Instead of campaigning on what they have achieved and what they plan to do they are using fear of Labour to try and win the election. And saying some palpably untrue things on the way.
Lets talk about tax policy
Tax is emerging as the big issue of this campaign. How valid are National’s claims that Labour will introduce a variety of new taxes and what has National’s record been like? Update: in a smart tactical move Labour has promised no new taxes will be introduced until after the next election.
National use opening of Christchurch Justice Precinct for political purposes
National has acted in breach of State Services Commission guidelines for the pre election period by having a flash opening of the Christchurch Justice Precinct even though it was not finished.
The decline and fall in National’s polling under English
National’s current polling under Bill English is showing the same dramatic slide that it did in 2002, the last time he was leader.
After nine long years National discovers there is child poverty in New Zealand
Bill English has finally committed the Government to doing something about Child poverty. But why has he and National taken so long?
Garner on National’s death rattle
Weekend pundits agree that the Joyce / English brazen lie about Labour’s budget is a disaster for the Nats. Duncan Garner pronounces National’s death rattle.
National enters panic mode and goes tough on beneficiaries
National has tried to divert attention from the budget hole fiasco by promising to get even tougher on beneficiaries.
Who agrees with you Bill?
Last night Bill English emphatically defended and agreed with Steven Joyce’s lie about a “hole” in Labour’s budget – specifically the disproved figure of $11.7 billion. Jacinda Ardern took him apart with one simple question. English has nothing left now.
Joyce and English now laughing stock
Post John Key all National ever had going for it was an undeserved reputation for financial competence. Now that is gone too. It doesn’t get any worse than this 3 weeks out from an election.
Even Kiwiblog won’t defend Joyce’s $11.7 billion claim
David Farrar has put up and then amended a post suggesting that there is a $11.7 billion hole in Labour’s policy financials. It appears that even he does not believe there is a $11.7 billion discrepancy in Labour’s accounts.
National plays the lauranorda card
National is panicking and Paula Bennett has gone full dog whistle in claiming that gang members should have less rights than others.
Bernard Hickey: Bill English’s Trump-like denial of a productivity problem
Being compared to Trump has got to hurt. And shouldn’t there be consequences when a PM flat out lies to the country on the state of the economy?
Best debate zinger
The best debate zinger didn’t come from anyone on the stage.
The first debate
The first debate between Jacinda Ardern and Bill English is tonight at 7pm (with a poll due at 6).
Update: CB Poll puts Labour ahead of National, and Ardern ahead of English. Crikey!
Mike Hosking feels used and wants to take a shower
Mike Hosking is decrying National’s cynical election campaign and release of its paid parental leave policy and claims that it is nothing more than a corrupt retail exchange.
Real video from National’s campaign launch
The Standard has received real video from National’s campaign launch
No one can have any confidence in a Nat NZF coalition
Peters is enraged by the presumed Nat hit on him over super. Earlier he was calling on Bill English to resign over the Barclay scandal. Given these conflicts, no one can have any confidence in a post-election Nat NZF coalition. They hate each other.
English coverup of Barclay scandal gets worse
New documents released under the OIA show that Bill English fought hide his involvement with the Todd Barclay scandal from media and the public. Coverups and lies, English is unfit for office.
National does u turn on paid parental leave
National has announced a policy of increasing paid parental leave after complaining last year that it was unaffordable.
National’s new copyright problem
National may have further copyright problems with the song used in its campaign video sounding remarkably similar to an old Bob Dylan song.
English on poverty – hasn’t read his own PREFU
After nine long years the election is forcing National to acknowledge the poverty in NZ. Bill English is promising to throw money at bootcamps and “social investment” (targeting) – but he hasn’t read his own PREFU.
Legal action on “Hit and Run” deaths
Lawyers for the villagers in the area allegedly hit in Operation Burnham are taking the Government to court over its refusal to hold an independent inquiry. English responds with some particularly vile spin.
Nats repeat failed bootcamp policy in plea to rally their scared angry base
English’s “boot camp” policy is pure politics. As much as he tries to deny it, it’s more or less an exact repeat of Key’s failed 2008 attempt, it would do much more harm than good if ever implemented. More than any other flailing to date, this mess is a sign of National’s desperation.