Important in the Green’s coalition deal-making process is the party’s political positioning, and the internal processes that the party is obligated to follow. Both of those things reflect deeper values around policy and decision making. Here’s a look at what processes the Greens will follow in the coming weeks and who will be involved.
The special vote count should be out at 2pm tomorrow. The mathematically plausible scenarios are either good, or very good, for the left.
Among the biggest winners of the election will be the Pike River families. Labour and Greens support re-entry. Gower on National: “They will not go into Opposition over this… They will literally go back on everything they’ve said in order to get Winston into power.”
Preliminary talks between NZF and National have concluded, talks between NZF and Labour are due this afternoon. (Image from Vernon Small)
A tongue in cheek list of reasons why it may be best for National to form the next Government.
The Opportunities Party’s election campaign Communications Director and recent appointee to the Broadcasting Standards Authority has had their election day tweets referred to the police.
I have very mixed feelings about a Labour Green NZF government. I certainly don’t think that Labour should “pay any price”. So I’m pleased to see Jacinda Ardern acknowledging the Greens.
There is no “strong and stable” government to “lead” us. Maximum uncertainty! No end in sight! According to received wisdom (and all those people in a self-interested rush to ordain the born-to-rule-party) the market should be panicking! In fact…
The Nats are desperate to make big concessions for a coalition with the Greens. The establishment is lining up in The Herald to beg for this to happen. Promises to strengthen environmental and social policies in order to cling to power – but not for the last nine long years when it was simply the right thing to do…
The Standard regular Incognito writes about the unique voice the Greens bring to NZ politics and why a coalition deal with National would be the end of that.
The Herald has offered a number of opinions this weekend saying that Labour forming a coalition with New Zealand First would be a very bad thing.
You know that old saying about how generals always prepare to fight the last war? That’s National and their FPP election campaign (hello creepy joggers). There will be a certain poetic justice played out if Labour’s MMP campaign is the winner in the end.
A possible National/Green coalition deal? Matthew Whitehead discusses why and why not from a Green perspective.
The Greens aren’t going to support a National government, so why is there so much push to make it look like it might happen?
A significant and positive development late yesterday. Labour held firm on the Māori seats, and Peters has decided that a referendum is probably not a bottom line after all. This early progress bodes well for future negotiations.
Nats and their proxies continue to try and drag the Greens into negotiations with National. They just can’t conceive of a party based on principle. A party that exists for something other than the pursuit of power for power’s sake. But I fear that the Greens might have a stern test coming up.
Peters campaigned hard against the Nats, and for a change in government (check out the speech and video). To keep faith with democracy and with his party members he has to go with Labour Green (check out the feedback and polls). If Peters goes the other way NZF will implode.
A plan for how the Greens could save the election.
National have maintained their own vote but killed off all their political friends. Which is why their only route to power is now in the hands of an enemy, and why that enemy should be very wary of hitching his wagon to their fading star.
Labour didn’t deserve to win on Saturday because, firstly, because it failed to bring a fully-fleshed tax policy to voters, and, secondly, it never attempted to win the ideological battle over tax. To succeed at the next election, Labour must begin work today to frame this debate.
“Its not going to be a comfortable term. But it will probably be an exciting one.”
The papers are full of the expected establishment hysteria today, trying to paint the election as a done deal for the Nats (I wonder what Peters will make of that?). Professor Richard Shaw: “Nobody’s won the election yet. The people who won the election are the people who form the government.”
David Seymour and the ACT Party are back in Parliament but their role this term will be nothing other than nodding lap dog.
The Nats lost this election. It was a vote for change. NZF party members are calling on Peters to do the right thing.
Some analysis of where the increase in party vote for Labour occurred.
The political reputation of NZ First as being a one man band. It isn’t. It is a real political party with the classic volatile mixture of members, supporters, candidates and MPs, plus undercurrents of factionalism. They will take some time to negotiate how they should negotiate and with whom.
Some post election thoughts on what James Shaw said last night, what the post-election options are, and that given the Left got a possible reprieve not an outright win, what are we going to do next?
The fact that we could even hope for a Labour Green win is remarkable – was inconceivable just 2 months ago. Labour’s surge has been incredible. Thank you Jacinda Ardern, and thank you all who worked so hard! Now it’s up to MMP…
Some thoughts on the morning after a bitter sweet election result for Labour and the Greens.
The timing of this election’s results, how NZ governments are formed, and election stress.
Election night post for discussion. Updates during the evening.
Some places for lefties to follow the counting and take part in the talking.
From the legendary Matafai family and West Auckland Labour how campaigning really should be done …
Who are you going to wake up with on Sunday morning?
The final election pitches – Ardern inspires – English in a hole.
If you haven’t voted already – vote wisely tomorrow!
You just have to hold your nose and electorate vote Goldsmith …
