Labour’s Ten Big Ideas
National’s only idea this term has just been shot down by the public. Meanwhile Labour has been thinking about the future and the issues that confront NZ.
Politics
leadership
Future of Work Conference
Labour’s Future of Work Conference is under way. There is a page with information and live stream here.
Looking to the future – planning to adapt and protect people – this is work a government should be doing. In this case, a government in waiting…
Fear is a Man’s Best Friend
It’s been an intense day or two for Andrew Little. But he’s still feeling better than John Key. Why? Because Key’s got the fear.
February breaks all records
The evidence that we have significantly underestimated the speed of climate change is mounting steadily.
Labour considering Unconditional Basic Income
As with capital gains tax, the political left is kicking off a very important discussion for NZ.
The Butcher’s Apron or the Tea Towel
Next week the voting on part two of the Key Legacy Project © begins. We’re being given a choice between the outdated and the bland. The Butcher’s Apron or the Tea Towel. Do you care?
Key’s Bitter Legacy; Gareth Hughes Nails the PM’s Vanity.
The Green’s Gareth Hughes delivered a blistering speech in reply to the PM’s statement to the House. It begs the question ‘what will Key’s lasting legacy be?’. A failed flag referendum? Poverty? Inequality? Corruption? Selfies with AB’s?
As Key’s star fades, the less he seems to have left us to remember him by. What was the point of him anyway?
Praise for Labour’s tertiary bombshell
Although there have been predictable howls of outrage from the usual suspects, the media reaction to Labour’s bold tertiary education policy has been generally great.
Another policy to be proud of
Labour has rolled out another big bold policy that will shape the national discussion for years. Critics, most of whom received a free tertiary education themselves back in the day, want to deny a younger generation the same right (and pocket a tax cut instead). Enter Steven Joyce…
Little: Labour to Defy TPPA
Labour Leader Andrew Little has announced that the next Labour led Government will defy the TPPA’s attack on our sovereignty. Good on Labour – that’s the leadership we need.
COP21 – More than we expected, less that we needed
The dust is settling on COP21. After some initial optimism based on early reports, it’s clear that we didn’t get what we needed from Paris.
COP21 making history
Big news from COP21 in Paris, with a final draft of the agreement just released. It is sounding surprisingly good, 1.5 degree target, “fair, durable, balanced and legally-binding”.
Helen Clark on A Zero-Carbon Future
Good piece by Helen Clark on Huff Post: “Paris must be a catalyst for stepped up climate action. The world must move towards a zero-carbon future. There is no room for short-sightedness or a lack of ambition.”
Nats positioning for 2017
Nothing Matthew Hooton says can be taken at face value, but perhaps there are rumblings within National about 2017.
Andrew Little in Australia
Contrary to Key’s scaremongering about “making things worse” Little’s, visit to Australia seems to have been positive and constructive.
Key doesn’t like being shown up by Little
Andrew Little is planning to speak up for the rights of Kiwi expats on his trip to Australia. Key clearly doesn’t like being shown up, so out come the desperate accusations.
The Tide is High
I’m pleased about the Roy Morgan result. The last RWC was worth 2-3% in the polls to National. This RWC … nothing. And in the days since that poll, John Key has overseen an astonishing attack on the women of Parliament. I think we’ve reached Peak Key.
Slack on our craven human rights record
David Slack is on fire this morning with his take on our craven human rights record – in the form of imagined NCEA questions.
Little’s speech – reaction
Canada and the TPP
Will the Liberals’ victory yesterday result in Canada dropping out of the TPP? Probably not. But Canadian farmers are going to push hard, creating an interesting opportunity for the Liberals.
Labour’s deputy
An anonymous editorial in The Herald this morning is a mostly well balanced discussion of the issue of Labour’s deputy leader.
Labour to defy TPP on property ownership?
If this report is accurate it opens an interesting can of worms!
The (gradual?) decline of American empire
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson was Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell. And he says that the American empire is in decline.
Hide on the Collins challenge
Rodney Hide also reckons that Collins is positioned to challenge Key.
Goff: Collins planning her move
Goff: “Judith’s column this week is the opening shot in her campaign to succeed John Key as National’s leader.”
Hot hotter hottest
Plenty of distractions in the political circus at the moment, but meanwhile…
Young on Little
While Labour leaders are in the spotlight, a good piece on Andrew Little by Audrey Young in the weekend.
UK – Cameron loses his shit, new members flood to Labour
Refugee crisis a taste of things to come
The current refugee crisis is but a taste of the climate refugee crisis to come. But it according to Key it’s fine, because it won’t be a problem in the next year or two.
Body on Key’s moral compass
Christchurch – rhetoric and reality
Today is five years since the first of the Canterbury / Christchurch earthquakes. Christchurch voices are calling out for leadership.
Rob Salmond’s argument – too simplistic and wrong in its assumptions
As Mike Smith’s post last night relates, Rob Salmond makes the case that a properly left wing Labour Party is always going to lose. Screw that. More like a Tory Labour doesn’t deserve to win.
Win or Lose: This is Labour
Some people have suggested that the more progressive parliamentary elements of the left are done and dusted. I’m not so sure…
Helen Clark in the news
A couple of good pieces on Helen Clark recently, on global challenges and on UN leadership.
Helen Kelly
A NZ First First; Winston outvoted in Caucus
The extraordinary battle for the Deputy Leadership of NZ First is over. Winston’s pick has been rejected by the NZF caucus and his grip on the party has loosened significantly. But what does this mean for Labour, the Greens and the prospects of a better Government?