Metiria for PM
Yes. Quite seriously.
Politics
political parties
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.
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.
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…
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.”
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…
Women, know your place!
What decade are we in again?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.