Press/Stuff Leaders’ debate 6pm
Another debate between Jacinda Ardern and Bill English, tonight at 6pm.
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
To REALLY help drug addicts
This government will know that 50,000 people already want help with drug addiction but cannot get it. They have had 9 years to give a shit. This “bash the beneficiary drug addict” is a ridiculous response to a real, and growing, health problem.
Finance debate – Grant Robertson vs big flaming gasbag
The RNZ debate between Labour and Nat finance spokespersons has just concluded – Grant Robertson vs a big flaming gasbag. Robertson very strong, gasbag unable to name One Single Person who agrees with his $11.7bn big lie.
A chance to choose better
A brief extract from one of Jacinda Ardern’s speeches in Hamilton yesterday. Not just for the next three years but for the next ten – we have a chance to choose better…
Three dirty hits – three epic fails
This is what an amoral party in a desperate third-term death spiral looks like.
The Spinoff’s Great Debate – 7pm tonight
They’re at it again, livestream via Facebook.
Salmond on the new political era
On Newsroom Dame Anne Salmond writes: “‘Jacindamania’ is not just about an individual politician, however caring and attractive. It marks a changing of the guard between generations, and a time to try out new ideas.”
Liar Joyce’s shifting goal posts and zero budgets
Hopelessly compromised Steven Joyce is trying to shift the goalposts from his thoroughly exposed $11.7bn lie to Labour’s “zero budgets”. He’s clutching at straws…
Joyce keeps digging
Steven Joyce is spinning furiously and is now claiming that Labour has set aside no money for budget increases for many Government Departments. But when Labour’s figures are compared to PREFU it is clear that Labour is planning to maintain or exceed National’s propose future spend.
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.
National – campaign vs reality
The brighter future cusp of something special moving forward advertising campaign fluff meets the reality of National’s NZ in this brilliant image.
Speaking of mothers
There’s a direct relationship between how badly we treat mothers and how much we exalt neoliberalism.
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.
A test for NZ media and democracy
The Nats are not backing down from their $11.7bn lie. The media need to call it loudly for the big lie that it is. This is now a test for NZ’s democracy.
The Jacinda Phenomenon
Some thoughts on the Jacinda phenomenon based on my observations of her campaigning last Sunday in West Auckland.
Steven Joyce – liar or fool?
The economists have spoken, and Steven Joyce’s claim that there is a $11.7bn “hole” in Labours’ fiscal plan shows him to be either a liar or a fool. Shame on Bill English for repeating it in the debate.
Second leaders’ debate
A much better debate, but English doubling down on the lies about Labour’s fiscal plan.
Steven Joyce’s comprehension fail
Steven Joyce’s claim that Labour’s budget forecasts have a $11 billion dollar hole in them raises some concern with his ability to actually understand Government budgetary processes.
The actual implications of a Capital Gains Tax
Matthew Whitehead looks at what the Greens, Labour and National really mean when they talk about a CGT.
National’s 18 new taxes
A dose of reality on National and taxes, and wise words on the media circus surrounding tax.
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.
Labour’s support for renters
While National revert to type with populist scaremongering, Labour is getting on with the business of releasing practical policy that supports real people and addresses real problems.
National have poisoned the Peters well
National deciding to go after Winston Peters was a high risk strategy, and it has backfired on them. Caught between their own dirty history and a resurgent Labour.
In the one month since Jacinda Ardern became leader…
Good on ya NZ – choosing Labour policy over Nat tax cut
It is very heartening to see Kiwis rejecting National’s tax cut bribe (and English’s arrogant debate rhetoric) – in favour of supporting each other and backing Labour’s policies for a better NZ.
Revising Nats’ nasty joggers ad
National’s nasty joggers campaign ad captures the essence of the party nicely, ignoring and making fun of those in need of help, running away from problems. But in light of the recent poll-quake it is in serious need of revision…
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?
National’s New Lynn candidate is not having a good campaign
Paulo Garcia, National’s New Lynn candidate has some very conservative world views and a recent interview suggests that his knowledge of the local area and the seat are less than optimal.
Outsourcing Compassion
They starve and freeze and rot among themselves, but they beg, steal and rob among their betters.
Challenging the divine right of kingmakers
23 days to go. We’re now this close to changing the government, and have a real chance at a truly progressive government with a Labour/Green coalition. For that we need strong Green representation.
This is how you change the Government – Enrolments
The first of what will be a series of posts on practical steps that people can take to elect a progressive Government. In this post the importance of getting as many people enrolled as possible.
Why is Farrar smearing the superannuation shit?
A lot of politics and political blogging is all about the details. This includes National’s pollster David Farrar who falsely asserted yesterday that Winston would have received 7 annual letters about his superannuation status. So why is National trying to irritate their only possible coalition partner?
National Party – Lying Liars Who Lie
The lulz don’t stop there. Read through the various tweets and you’ll find “Check The Facts” has been well less than accurate in its portrayal of what constitutes a “fact”.
It’s a new political world
Labour has polled ahead of National for the first time in 12 years. It is only one poll and others may differ, but it has shattered a huge psychological barrier. We’re in a new political world. Time to go hard.
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!