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Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
The big mo #LetsDoThis
Jacinda Ardern’s ascension to Labour’s leadership appears to have given the Party that most important of campaign phenomena, momentum.
The Ardern effect – and why this leadership change was different
With donations and volunteers flooding in, I think it’s fair to say that reaction to Jacinda Ardern has exceeded all expectations. Why was this leadership change different? Two reasons…
Lifeline funding cut
Funding to Lifeline has been cut in favour of an organisation with a family link to Bill English. It may be completely innocent as all the interested parties claim. But it’s not a good look to be destroying Lifeline, an organisation doing world class work in an area of desperate need. You don’t easily replace that experience.
She ain’t no show pony
“She’s got charm, she’s warm, she’s funny, she’s incredibly intelligent, her values are rock solid. I think you are looking at someone there who is going to change the fortunes of the Labour Party, lift the vote, and change the government.” – James Shaw.
What was English up to with his Barclay text storm?
Peters claims that English sent over 450 text messages to Barclay’s then staffer Glenys Dickson “many early in the morning and late at night” in the months before she resigned. English is in this mess up to his eyeballs. What was going on?
Solidarity forever
Andrew Little has stood aside for Jacinda Ardern because he thought the Labour movement needed fresh legs. Time to acknowledge him and support her.
Acclaim for Jacinda Ardern
Changing leaders this close to an election was a political gamble for Labour, but it has already paid off. The commentary is almost universally positive, the reviews for Ardern are glowing. Donations are flowing in. Activists are energised and people are talking.
Helen Clark burns Matthew Hooton
Matthew Hooton has been incinerated by a former leader of the Labour Party.
So NZ Labour wanted the Headlines.
Well, now they have them. But…
Greens and the Māori Party on the new Labour leaders
Coalition partners in the wings, game on for the left.
Labour leadership announcement – livestream
The livestream is over. A very impressive performance from Jacinda Ardern.
Thank you Andrew – go well Jacinda!
Unlike lprent I am not discouraged by Little stepping down. New leadership is a real opportunity for Labour. Little: “As leader, I must take responsibility for these results. I do take responsibility and believe that Labour must have an opportunity to perform better under new leadership through to the election.”
Ok, I’m pissed off with the Labour caucus again. Time to switch
I think that Andrew Little standing down was a mistake. I can’t think of anyone in the Labour caucus capable of doing anything much between now and the election. Labour should have just stayed the course and worked harder to get rid of National out of government.
Little gone
Andrew Little has stepped down – expects Jacinda to replace him.
ACT in blue – gives up all pretense
Labour leadership meeting
At 10:30 this morning there is a Labour caucus meeting where the subject of the leadership will be discussed. If Andrew Little decides to step down rumours suggest that a Jacinda Ardern / Kelvin Davis ticket is being considered.
Trump to Scaramucci – you’re fired!
The media is reporting that Anthony Scaramucci has been fired after only ten days in the job as White House communications director.
NZF members are lefties – will they get a say in choosing government?
Current polls leave National/minor and Labour/Green both short of majority. The chances of NZF determining the shape of the next government are increasing. I’ve always assumed that Peters would go with National, but maybe not, if NZF members get a say.
Caution: Taking polling at face value may induce political whiplash
With all the speculation about polls, it’s time to have a discussion about polling and the cold, hard facts around it. Is it good news for the left?
#LeftwithEnough
Mary St George writes about participatory democracy in this year’s election and the new twitter chat #LeftwithEnough.
Metiria’s gamble pays off in latest poll
To what must be intense annoyance from angry right-wing pundits, Metiria Turei’s gamble seems to have paid off for The Greens, an indication (though mind that margin of error) that there could be a real appetite for a Corbyn-style political revolution this election.
This is no ordinary election (f*ck the polls)
This isn’t a set in stone election, it’s one that is in the midst of change, quite possibly big change. The Greens opened a door, what can we do to step through?
National’s 2017 election list
National’s 2017 list has been announced and it has a very same old same old feel about it.
The Dinner Party
An entirely relevant piece of prop from overseas.
Digitally shaping the election
Social media offers a rich tool for profiling voters and targeting election advertising or informal messaging. There’s a good piece on RNZ today looking at the issue. How long before we see the methods used by Brexit and Trump campaigns employed in NZ?
A tale of three immigrants
The Government is refusing to allow a Tongan family with a very sick child and an American family who ran a very successful cafe from staying in New Zealand but rolled out the red carpet to an uber rich American who did not meet all of the requirements.
Reactions to Metiria – the political and the personal
There are basically two kinds of reaction to Metiria’s bombshell, the practiced “outrage’ of the usual political operatives, and the support of the ordinary people. I think that the louder the operatives shout, the more that people are going to side with the under-dog.
Climate Change actions for the middle classes
It’s time to put our money and resources where our hearts and minds and values are.
Blind to the facts on Auckland rail
Ben Ross at The Spinoff “The government’s continued support of the road freight industry in preference to expanding the role of rail, in the face of the data in this report, makes a complete mockery of its claim to prudent economic management. It makes, instead, a pretty good case for incompetence, or cronyism, or both.”
Paula Bennett gets owned by Phil Twyford in question time
This afternoon in Parliament during question time Paula Bennett showed clearly that this Government has no idea what to do about the housing crisis.
ETS – That’s our coffin they’re talking about
Professor Euan Mason of the University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry in response to the proposed changes: “This is the nail in the coffin of our ETS.”
National’s Bennett problem
Graham Adams at Noted on Paula Bennett: “Nevertheless, these questions are not going to go away and what is certain is that Bill English can not afford to have Bennett share billboard space with him until they are answered satisfactorily”.
Raging at Metiria is not about the fraud – it’s that she sided with the lepers
Graham Cameron cuts through the obsession over fraud to the cultural values of the last 30 years and the fear beneath.
National will distort MMP for its own benefit, again
Without a cup of tea in sight National has announced that it will asking supporters to vote for Act leader David Seymour in Epsom and United Future leader Peter Dunne in Ohariu.