It is National’s time for the brown trousers
If you want to know why the right is farting so much personal smoke, take a look at the poll trends 2011, 2014, 2017. It’s not a pretty picture for the Nats.
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
Two good polls for Labour – and a call to arms for the Greens
Two polls out tonight show a big surge for Labour and Jacinda Ardern. But we need a strong Green vote too. To those whom Metiria inspired – please don’t give up on voting. The Greens need you now more than ever!
No Way Back.
There comes a point…
Corbyn-esque NZ
This post was written and ready to go and then news of Metiria Turei stepping down hit. Some of it might read a little strangely because of that. I’ve changed some of the tenses used.
Metiria to resign as leader
Metiria Turei has just announced that she will stand down as leader of the Green Party and she may relinquish her position on the Green list.
Newshub poll tonight
Labour’s water policy – Clean rivers for future generations
Labour has announced its water policy. Details include higher swimming water quality standards, a work task force to get young people off the dole replanting riperian margins and charges for commercial consumers with the royalties being paid to regional councils.
NACT
“Here’s a new idea for the Tories: Why not ask a simple question every time you propose a course of action: Is this morally just?”
Real and poor
It’s time to hear what poor people have to say about being poor.
Breaking: calls for Paddy Gower’s resignation as MSM slips in its own bullshit
Last night all the excitement finally caught up with them, leading to calls for Paddy Gower to resign and for MSM organisations to delete their social media accounts.
The Kelvin Davis effect
Much has been written about the Jacinda Ardern effect that has put Labour so enthusiastically back in the game. But the appointment of Kelvin Davis as deputy is also looking like a very smart move.
Le Matte Juste: More resignations!
Matthew Whitehead on what’s going on with the Greens.
English damaged by Barclay scandal – poll
The missing Newshub poll question has appeared at last, showing that Bill English has been damaged by his handling of the Barclay scandal. 56% of Kiwis (even 36% of Nats) have lost some trust in English. Updated: The texts have been “deleted”. English refusing to answer questions.
James Shaw: “I completely support what Metiria has done”
Shaw in his own words on where the party is at.
Reviving
Is Jacinda Ardern’s rise to power evidence of a change of approach to political campaigning by Labour?
ACT wants to subdivide the Waitakere Ranges (or at least the foothills)
Act has announced a policy that would undermine current protection given to the Waitakere Ranges. If it gets a chance …
Metiria for PM
Yes. Quite seriously.
Two Green MPs remove themselves from the list
Newshub is reporting that two Green MPs have quit in protest at Metiria Turei remaining co-leader.
Ardern effect taps pent-up mood for change
A week is a long time in politics, as the saying goes. The election has been turned upside down. The long pent-up mood for change has found its champion.
Nat letter to Ōhāriu voters says vote for Dunne
From the letter – “Prime Minister Bill English is asking National voters in Ohariu to support National with their Party vote and Peter Dunne with their Electorate vote as this year’s General Election.”
Bennett faces petition and protest over historical allegations
No doubt those purity pledge campaigners who rained stones on Metiria Turei will be just as keen to get to the bottom of all this, and no doubt Paula Bennett will be keen to take personal responsibility and clear her name.
Labour’s Auckland Transport announcement
Labour has announced its Auckland Transport policy.
National’s Auckland Transport announcement
In an attempt to take the thunder away from Labour’s Auckland Transport announcement National’s offer was leaked this week to the Herald. But it is uninspiring, and shows a continued commitment to roading as providing a solution.
Paula Bennett says Jacinda lacks “the kind of brain” to lead
Back in May the Nats chose Nikki Kaye as their vehicle to attack Jacinda Ardern. It didn’t work so well. This time round they’ve lead with Paula Bennett. According to Bennett, Ardern lacks the right kind of brain. Keep talking Paula…
Lefties on The Standard
An experimental post on The Standard, providing a discussion space for left-wing people only.
Messages for the Left
Kōrero Pono writes about the class divide within the parliamentary Left and the importance of the wider Left’s message in this election.
Bill Bored?
Hey Newshub polls – where are the results on the English-Barclay question?
I was a participant in last weekend’s Newshub poll. Along with the question on Metiria Turei’s actions I was asked a similar one whether Bill English was correct and honest in his handling of the Todd Barclay scandal. We’ve heard a lot about the answer to the first question, nothing at all on the second…
Gower on Turei’s sacrifice
Consider the sharp contrast between the lies and dirty politics that the Nats have brazened out in the last 9 years and the way that Metiria Turei fronted up and took responsibility for decades old youthful mistakes. Gower is right that it has headed off the Nats’ attack lines and they will be fuming.
I too, am not resigning
“there’s one standard for women who were fighting their way out of poverty and another for rich people who know they won’t really get called to account for their own personal histories so long as everyone involved keeps quiet.”
Metiria Turei will not seek ministerial position
At a noon press conference Metiria Turei announced that she is not resigning and will continue to lead the Greens, but she is not seeking a ministerial position in a new government. She takes responsibility for her past, but the work on a fair welfare system is more important than any one person.
‘Ardern Up! The T-shirt that every fashionable leftie will be wearing
Each one $10 to Women’s Refuge.
Health disasters – useless Coleman in all kinds of shit
The Health system is riddled with crises and useless Minister Jonathan Coleman is in all kinds of shit. He doesn’t seem to care any more and we won’t front up for interviews. Coleman is a disgrace.
This is why we need the Greens in government
Metiria Turei speaks from the heart about how hard it is to be on welfare, and the need for a more compassionate, caring welfare system.
Don’t expect the impossible of Ardern
I enjoy a ray of hope as much as the next leftie, and Jacinda Ardern is off to an incredible start, but let’s not burden her with impossible expectations.
“It’s still the same Labour Party”
Steven Joyce wouldn’t front yesterday, but today National have worked out their attack lines. Leave popular Jacinda alone and attack Labour as tired and lacking in new ideas (projection, much?). Labour has a raft of new policy, to go with needed older one’s like 2013’s Kiwibuild of 100,000 affordable homes. Journos need to learn their policy so they don’t let National’s fake news through…