Gangs to vote – a hopeful sign for turnout?
Is this an isolated case or is it representative of a change of mood in the non-voting electorate?
Politics
democratic participation
Why Islam is incidental.
How (According to The Guardian) a neo-nazi turned Islamist flipped terror narratives upside down.
Hey Kids: Voting’s Fun!
The Jonathan Pie guide to voter engagement.
Mental health problems are a figment of our imagination and the work of anti government protesters
according to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman
Prefigurative politics: being the change you want to see
In election year, we have some choices about how to proceed.
The patriotic millionaires
In America a group of millionaires have emerged who are advocating for increased taxation for the wealthy and increased democratic rights to everyone else.
Stewart: “Dying days of democracy”?
Probably not, but after 9 years of Brighter Future / Dirty Politics it certainly can feel that way.
“We are unstoppable, another world is possible”
Activism and protest done well, here are the faces of the emerging climate justice movement in NZ.
Little’s court win good for democracy
The defamation case against Andrew Little has been an unwelcome distraction while he should have been free to do his job as leader of the largest opposition party. The consensus is that the process delivered a qualified win for Little, and a clear win for democracy.
Cat Among the Pigeons
Nicolas Sturgeon to seek the authority of the Scottish Parliament to agree the details of a Section 30 Order that will allow the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.
Racist campaigns and attack ads
A couple of racist groups seem to be hawking their wares recently. Unfortunately this may herald the start of a dirty election, dragged down by well funded and unaccountable pressure groups.
Slightly smug about MMP
2017 will be New Zealand’s eighth election under MMP, over 22 years. With very strong democratically elected governments appearing right across the world digging in for the long term, it’s useful to take a moment for MMP.
Encouraging Signs
A refreshing shift in NZ’s political environment.
Willie Jackson on democracy
Willie Jackson is using his return to the political spotlight to good effect.
Is this the impossibility turning point?
There’s a wonderful fiction still propelling the world that the 21st century will bring an ever-expanding arc of freedom and prosperity to the vast majority of humanity but the reality seems to be anything but.
Maybe Trump is what the left needed
Donald Trump’s ascendancy to power presents the left with the chance of showing that progressive politics is a much better choice than the alternative.
How do we increase voter participation?
Fewer people, particularly young people, are voting. How do we turn this around?
Ten steps towards victory for Labour
A guest post by Labour Activist Enzo Giordani on what Labour needs to do this year to win the election.
Faith in democracy falls
Is the belief that democracy is essential falling in “Western” countries? In New Zealand particularly so?
America’s broken democratic system
Through partisan control of the electoral system and continuing attempts to suppress votes America’s electoral system is in clear need of an overhaul.
Democracy can be refined
Democracy is difficult. Government is far too complex and ordinary people have neither the time nor the inclination to spend time to understand it properly. So what are the alternatives?
Legalising civil disobedience and the culture of change
Change happens at the intersection of the edge and the mainstream.
Trump scooped up the white vote that Democrats abandoned
Trump laid siege to the Democrat’s “Blue Wall” and they didn’t respond to or recognise his strategem until far too late.
Re-post: Eva Hartshorn-Sanders for Senior Vice President
Earlier this year the Standard’s authors offered candidates for the upcoming Labour Party internal elections the chance to guest post about why they’re running. We’re reposting them now ahead of tomorrow’s vote.
Re-post: Tane Phillips for Māori Vice President
Earlier this year the Standard’s authors offered candidates for the upcoming Labour Party internal elections the chance to guest post about why they’re running. We’re reposting them now ahead of tomorrow’s vote.
Re-post: Beth Houston for Senior Vice President
Earlier this year the Standard’s authors offered candidates for the upcoming Labour Party internal elections the chance to guest post about why they’re running. We’re reposting them now ahead of tomorrow’s vote.
Bernie Sanders on…
Excerpts from a lengthy Bernie Sanders interview published in the ‘New Republic’.
Online voting – the only choice for idiots
As a computer programmer and someone who has been involved in politics for decades, I’m always amazed at idiots like Malcolm Alexander of the LGNZ talking about something that they clearly don’t understand the technicalities of. Online voting is way too fragile to roll out. And anyway young voters are still going to not have their voting details at hand.
Do elections matter?
Despite politics the world keeps turning. So why is it important and why should everyone vote?
Before you vote
Before you vote make sure you check out the Jobs that Count endorsement list. These are candidates who have signed the pledge to bring democracy back to their communities.
If that’s not worth voting for, we don’t know what is.
The “Intellectual Yet Idiot” Class – Knowing what’s best for you
When highly educated people end up being idiots, and uneducated people end up being smarter.
Just vote – Auckland Council version
It is local government election time. If you want to vote for progressive candidates these are some suggestions.
Labour Organising
From the UK. Organising 101.
NZ Human Rights Commission Open Letter to NZ Rugby Union on respecting women
The Human Rights Commission is calling on New Zealanders to sign the open letter to New Zealand Rugby, which asks them to seek support in addressing their internal culture issues.
RNZ Auckland Mayoral Debate
The first big debate in the Auckland mayoralty race starts at 8am today. Links in the post.
Voting closes on October 8. Phil Goff wins the mayoralty shortly afterwards.
Guest Post: Beth Houston for Senior Vice President
The Standard’s authors have offered candidates for the upcoming Labour Party internal elections the chance to guest post about why they’re running. Beth Houston has been nominated for the position of Senior Vice President. Here’s her vision for the role and the party.