Simon who?
National MP Simon O’Connor is thinking of a tilt at Auckland’s mayoralty.
Politics
elections
Auckland Council is investigating online voting
Auckland Council wishes to conduct a trial of online voting at next year’s local government elections. Is it time to try this out as a voting system?
All that is wrong with America’s democracy
In Georgia, despite the Repbublican candidate who oversaw the election process engaging in the mass disenfranchisement of Democrat voters, the removal of voting machines to make voting in Democrat areas more difficult and baseless smearing of the Democrat candidate, the result is on a knife edge and a second vote is a possibility.
Disestablish the establishment.
Politics can be soap, or politics can be real. This post comments on some of the soap and offers an example of something that’s real
A Democratic Cakewalk.
Cenk Uygur might be said to have “skin in the game” when it comes to the US Mid-terms, and given that much of this post revolves around, or bounces from his commentary and analysis – which may not be quite as objective as he thinks – that should be borne in mind when reading this post.
Labour Party Conference 2018
It’s conference time! The NZ Labour party is into it’s second century and into Government. What can we expect from this weekend’s hui in Dunedin and what policies and positions do Standard readers think need to be pushed?
Brazil, Brexit, Trump…with more to come.
When orders collapse, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We’re making it a bad thing.
An Ineffectual Opposition Is Bad News
An ineffectual Opposition creates a vacuum that will be filled by the Mainstream and Social Media as they will assume the role of unelected and non-representative opposition in effectuo.
Ross saga quiescent, but donations scandal needs addressing
The Jami-Lee Ross scandal may have quietened down but issues raised by his explosive tape recording of Simon Bridges still need addressing. Does the $100k Zhang Yikun donation suggest we are going down the US track and, if so, what needs to be done about that
No smoking gun but plenty of sunlight from Bridges tape
Maybe not a smoking gun, Jami-Lee Ross’s tape recording of Simon Bridges sheds plenty of sunlight on the influence that money can buy within the National Party, casual racism endemic within National, the manipulation of ethnic communities and, most importantly, insights into the wielding of “soft power” by China.
MAFS Botany
The Botany by-election is an opportunity for National to woo a future party leader. There’s an obvious candidate if the Tories have the nerve to propose.
Ross resigns, to lay corrupt practices complaint against Bridges with police
Jamie-Lee Ross will seek to win a by-election as an independent. Says that Simon Bridges is corrupt and unlikeable and that he could prove it. Refutes Simon Bridges claim against him of harassment of women. Said the by-election would be a referendum on Bridges’ leadership. Updated: Simon Bridges responds – what he doesn’t say is more interesting
Vote City Vision in Entrust elections
Voting papers are being delivered to parts of Auckland relating to the Entrust elections, to elect trustees to oversee the management of Vector. City Vision is standing a progressive group of candidates hoping to take power away from the current right wing dominated board.
Coalition Problems? Tell ’em they’re Dreaming!
Oh dear. The Winston Peters led governing coalition has completely collapsed and thank God Simon Bridges is there to pick up the pieces. I warned you this would happen! And look! Over there … the sky is falling. Falling, I tells ya!
US Mid Terms; Obama Enters the Ring
America gets ready to rumble in the November mid terms, as Barack Obama enters the ring. At stake is control of both houses and the fate of the Trump presidency.
Government as startup
This new government is almost perfectly replicating the burn cycle of a startup business.
The Greens. Do We Need ’em?
What’s the point of the Green party? Do we really need them? Really?
The end of ACT
With his proposal to reduce the effectiveness of Parliament David Seymour is clearly looking for relevance.
The Pied Piper
If we’re living in a global village, is the name of the village Hamelin?
Colmar Brunton poll; Simon Who?
The 1 News/Colmar Brunton poll is out. The Government sails on serenely while Simon meets the people.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand
In 1962, John F Kennedy said “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” Is peaceful revolution possible in South Africa, Zimbabwe or New Zealand?
Government with a plan
The polls are great. Top work. But I’m getting worried about the entropy of this government already. Matthew Hooten and Karl Marx agree with me.
No Mates National
Peter Dunne has some sage advice for National; phone a friend. If you can find one.
Socialist candidate rolls Democrat heavyweight in primary
In a major upset the fourth ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives has lost a New York primary to a young latino woman who is a self described socialist as well as a Bernie Sanders supporter.
Winston sues
Winston Peters has commenced legal proceedings against Anne Tolley and Paula Bennett because of the leaking during last year’s election campaign of private information about a superannuation overpayment he received.
Boilover in Northcote?
With five days to go the Northcote by election result is far from settled. And a surprise may be on the cards.
Doofus of the week May 12, 2018
There was intense competition this week. Paula Bennett with her attack on Jacinda’s Spotify playlist almost won but Northcote candidate Dan Bidois succeeded for managing to talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time and only confusing his tongue.
The strange and unusual National Campaign Launch for the Northcote by election
Dan Bidois has formally launched his campaign by blaming Auckland Council for the last Government’s shortcomings, and opposing the regional fuel tax while at the same time insisting that if there is intensification then it needs to be paid for.
English Council Elections
By Nick Kelly – Upper Hutt boy in London.
The election year party donations returns
The election year donation returns have been released and show a surge of donations for Labour but National still well ahead.
The Centre, the Left and UK local elections
Thoughts on a resurgent left and a collapsing centre.
New Zealand Is all right, at the end
Democracy’s permanence is not inevitable. Its imagining is not beyond imagining. And New Zealand is one of the shrinking number of democracies who really have it.
The Northcote by-election
Labour and National have both selected their candidates for the Northcote by election. Labour’s candidate is Shanan Halbert who cut significantly into Jonathan Coleman’s majority at the last election.
Andrew Little reflects
Stuff have published online a video interview with Andrew Little where he goes through the circumstances of his resignation as leader, the ascension of Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister and his work as a Minister.
Is youth the new political divide?
There is evidence in the United Kingdom and in New Zealand that youth and not class may be the new political divide.
Cullen says 2020 election effectively a referendum on tax
Don’t hold your breath for recommendations of radical tax reform from the Tax Working Group. Chair Sir Michael Cullen says the 2020 election will be a referendum on tax and he is already kicking for touch