Williamson on tolls for roads (again)
I see Maurice Williamson has again confirmed that we will be paying more for driving on some roads under National: Williamson: “If it […]
political parties
national
It’s your choice
Now that both Labour and National have all their major spending promises out, we can compare the options. Remember, whatever happens one of […]
Not a game
National has a press release out blaming Labour for a supposed increase in assaults on police. Now, there are more people and more […]
Tranzrail eyes
It’s possible to win a battle but, in doing so, lose the war. Like most commentators, I thought Key came off best from […]
Key vs Sharples, who do you believe?
On September 28, Key released National’s policy on the Maori seats. It is unequivocal (if light on the details): “At the conclusion of […]
Wouldn’t you be embarrassed if…..?
I have to declare – yes, I am an urban liberal. So I would be embarrassed if a member of my family said […]
Nat vs Nat on National policy
National wants to introduce a 90 Day no work rights period for new employees. Now, in the face of very strong opposition to […]
Wrong time for short-term thinking
National’s Nick Smith has announced that they would cancel the $1 billion fund to insulate New Zealand houses, which the Greens won as part of the […]
Down with literacy
A crusade on illiteracy, surely. Um, I’m not sure we want to entrust these guys with improving language skills. [Update: true to form, […]
Confident or foolish?
So, you’re one of the 900,000 Kiwis who have so far signed up to Kiwisaver. You know that you get $1000 on signing […]
‘Give me warning next time’, Key whimpers
While Key was blathering on about who-cares-what yesterday, Clark announced a radical and forward-looking economic stimulus package. Now, Key is having a cry over […]
Universal allowance – Labour joins rest of Left
Good to see Labour joining the Greens and Progressives with a universal student allowance policy. It has been a crying shame that many […]
Working our way forward
It was inevitable that the focus of media coverage of Labour’s announements yesterday would be the deposit insurance, it’s a good self-centred middle-class story. […]
Labour takes bull by the horns, Nats left standing
One of the first rules of politics is don’t set yourself up to be snookered; don’t position yourself in a way that your […]
Tories still bigots at heart
When I saw this guy using the guise of a Youtube debate question to attack Clark on her appearance, I felt sorry for […]
Hooten shows his true colours
The Herald reports that producers had to interrupt the filming of today’s Eye to Eye because Mathew Hooten called Winston Peters a “f***ing […]
Trickle-down
A few thoughts from today’s Agenda: Questioned about why National would introduce another tax rebate, having endlessly criticised Working for Families because of […]
Getting it right matters
I don’t want this post to be taken as overly critical; it’s just meant to offer some constructive advice. John Armstrong’s piece in […]
From the jaws of victory
My sources tell me Key has a big surprise planned for National’s campaign launch tomorrow. In a break with tradition, Key will not […]
Nats letting the facade drop
We’ve been receiving reports of some appalling statements by National MPs on the campaign trail. They mesh with the arrogance and heartlessness that […]
What happens if Nats gut Kiwisaver?
I was going to write about the economic effects of taking money out of Kiwisaver and spending it on tax cuts but this […]
Even your Granny doesn’t believe you anymore
The Herald editorial this morning lambastes National’s crime policy as “simply a more extreme version of a policy that has failed this country […]
In case you missed it
Here’s the footage from 3News last night on the fresh National Party cocktail revelations. Bill English’s comments again serve to reinforce the message […]
Johnnie’s choice
With the second English secret agenda tape out, John Key was asked whether he was worried about whether he had been caught on […]
No, Bill.
I felt a pang of pity for Bill English tonight as I watched TV3 roll out another secret tape. After all, “winning is […]
Costs of the Nats tax cuts – commentators’ views
Here’s a smattering of what some of the commentators are saying: Gordon Campbell: Putting tax cuts ahead of science and research neatly underlines […]
Greens set their standards for coalition partners
The Greens have announced that they will choose their preferred coalition partner based on their commitment to 12 criteria. I’ll just look at […]
Small change
That was going to be the title of my first post on National’s tax-cut plan but then it turned out National’s plan would […]
Reviews of Nats’ tax cut/Kiwisaver cut/R&D cut policy
Just a quick note at the start for our press gallery friends who live in central Wellington on high incomes. 50% of New […]
Nats break into your piggy-bank
John Key has announced that Kiwisaver would be slashed along with National’s tax cuts for the rich (and they are tax cuts for […]
No tax cut for most from Nats
As predicted on The Standard, National has announced it would abolish the increases in the bottom threshold to pay for tax cuts for […]
Tax cuts for the rich
National has released its tax policy. At first glance it appears the top rate will be reduced to 37% by 2011, giving the […]
The test
After building a political career that has consisted of little more than calling for tax cuts and attacking those that were delivered, John […]
Power to attack Nats’ new prison policy?
If he stands true to his principles, National justice spokesman Simon Power will soon be criticising the cost of their proposed new prison. […]
Changing the subject
Former National advisor Richard Long has let the cat out of the bag. The day before National’s much-hyped, cure-all tax cut package is to be […]
Will Labour back $15 minimum wage?
The unions want the minimum wage lifted to $15 an hour, two thirds of the average hourly rate, restoring the historic ratio. The […]