How To Get There 24/2/19
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
The Big Operation
A life changing operation is a big decision and there are no easy answers.
GCSB head Hampton gazumped by Pompeo
On Wednesday GCSB chief Andrew Hampton told a Select Committee there was absolutely “no pressure” publicly or privately on his decision to block Huawei. On Thursday US Secretary of State Pompeo publicly warned that “United States would not be able to partner with or share information with countries that adopt Huawei Technologies Co Ltd systems.” What a difference a day makes.
It’s the kiwi way
National is engaging in hysterical levels of hyperbole in its response to the Tax Working Group’s reform package.
The Tax Working Group proposals
The Tax Party working group’s recommendations have been released.
Musing on independent breakaways in the UK.
Britain has an interesting political system, one that in many respects we share. The effect is to realise new streams of political effect without revolution. Usually not as a result of actual electoral success, but because it causes shifts in the positions of the major parties that form the governments.
23 dinosaur councils refuse to sign Climate Change commitment
Thames-Coromandel mayor and former National Party MP Sandra Goudie has called a request to sign up to LGNZ’s Climate Change declaration irresponsible at the same time as the Council has entered a coastal inundation notation on the titles for a Retirement Village development it issued consent for.
Bernie runs again
Bernie Sanders has announced he will seek the Democratic candidacy for the presidency and has described Trump as being a pathological liar, a fraud, a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and someone who is undermining American democracy.
Pollwatch: Colmar Brunton 18/02/2019
Do good things come in twos? This Pollwatch suggests that perhaps they do, and that maybe the news is rosier than the last one suggested.
Colmar Brunton Feb 2019
Another poll, another sizzling result for Jacinda Ardern and the Coalition team. Mansplain that, Simon.
What China crisis?
Claims that New Zealand is at a crisis point in terms of its relationship with China appear to be somewhat overegged.
Lock ’em Up!?
Unionist and former MP Darien Fenton takes issue with a major weakness in our law. That’s the ability of guilty bosses to just ignore the rulings of the Employment Court. Can’t pay? Won’t pay!
How To Get There 17/2/19
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
The NZ National Party is the Wizard of Oz
The National Party is a sad, confused, slightly dazed white old man behind the curtain.
Walls and Bridges
It’s been a horror week for two leaders and a leader who will never be leader.
TRP casts a wary and weary eye over three political zombies whose time appears up.
And, oh, Jeremy Corbyn.
Blomfield beats Slater
Matt Blomfield has obtained judgment in his long running defamation case against Cameron Slater.
The end of tenure review
Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage has ended the policy of tenure review, under which large tracts of land were privatised and onsold for huge profits and sensitive ecological areas wrecked.
Dead cats and silly sausages
Today in distractions: David Carter is covering for Simon Bridges’ polling results by upsetting the whole idea of non-partisan accountability of the Government to Parliament in select comittees, I give some free advice to the National Party comms team knowing they won’t pull it off, and Mallard has lost patience with non-answers
Can Sexism Save Simon’s Bacon?
National Party in dick pick SHOCKER!!!
Yes, Simple Simon reveals his saucy side as he SHOWS US HIS SAUSAGE.
But is anyone biting?
Spark vs Spooks
Spark wants Huawei’s 5G technology because its the best and the cheapest. The GCSB spooks don’t want us to have it because 5Eyes and because the US has yanked their chain. The Prime Minister says no decision has been made – the media and the world think it is a goneburger. We should support New Zealand’s Spark, not US corporate interests.
National crashes select committee meeting
National has decided to play politics and sabotaged today’s Finance and Expenditure Select Committee meeting.
Dear St Valentine
Deep in the perpetually joyous realm you inhabit, could you pop over and have a chat to St Francis? I am pretty […]
The leader has my full support
National’s message discipline on support for Leader Simon Bridges is strangely missing.
Pollwatch: 11/02/2019
Kia ora koutou readers, and welcome back to the first Pollwatch of 2019, and as our official Worst News™ will tell you, (okay, […]
Should We Fear Judith Collins?
So, it turns out Simon’s a dud. What do the Tories do about it? And can Judith Collins really make a difference?
Sheepgate the final chapter
The final chapter of the Saudi Sheepgate saga has now been written with David Parker pulling the pin on the deal and saving the country $1 million.
Latest Reid Research poll result disastrous for National and Bridges
The latest Reid Research poll is disastrous for National.
Simon Bridges twitter game
Simon Bridges’ twitter account has been tweeting about unusual subjects lately.
Right wing environmental sock puppet party launched
No friends National’s sock puppet party has now been announced.
Ross taunts Bridges about mental health system
Jami-Lee Ross has implied that Simon Bridges is being hypocritical in criticising a Government review into mental health.
How To Get There 10/2/19
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
What does the right have against Venezuela?
Simon Bridges has claimed that the Government is going to follow a “Venezuela model” in making much needed reform of the Polytechnic sector. But no one knows what he means.
The problems with America’s political system
In a series of simple questions shows all that is wrong with the American political system.
Ardern’s state of the nation speech
The text of Jacinda Ardern’s speech delivered this morning.
Trump restarts Nuclear Arms race
Donald Trump has announced that the US will be withdrawing from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and Russia has also given notice. Stand by as the nuclear arms race restarts.
What should Jacinda Ardern say in her state of the nation speech?
What are the issues Jacinda Ardern should be talking about when she gives her state of the nation speech tomorrow?