politicans
john key
National’s campaign train wreck
So far National’s election campaign has been a train wreck. What was meant to be a leisurely walk to the finish line has turned into a limp. David Cunliffe is more than holding his own against John Key. And dirty politics is having a gradual corrosive effect on National’s support.
Nothing to hide, nothing to fear
If John Key has nothing to hide, sure he has nothing to fear from a full government inquiry into Dirty Politics?
Score draw?
Cunliffe started best, Key got in a zinger and put him off his stride, Cunliffe dominated the second half.
NRT: The caretaker convention and elections
There was an interesting discussion between Dean Knight and Graeme Edgeler about the caretaker convention and elections. Dean highlighted the fact that Key had a perfect right to call for whatever sort of inquiry prior to an election. Edgeler disputed this, on the basis that the Prime Minister could not be said to enjoy the confidence of the House, because there wasn’t one.
The Press Debate – tonight, livestreamed on Stuff
The second big head-to-head between David Cunliffe and John Key will be livestreamed on Stuff from 7pm tonight.
Puddleglum: We no longer have a Prime Minister
There’s an excellent post at The Political Scientist I want to highlight, plus a few other of today’s Dirty Politics reads…
National must be very afraid
The latest Whaledump has a collection of emails that makes no reference to Judith Collins. It makes you wonder if Key did not have the Cathy Odgers email whether he would have sacked Collins.
Why Is John Key Not Compelled to Give Evidence Under Oath?
I have today sent an open letter to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to ask why Mr Key is not required to attend her inquiry and to give evidence under oath. The letter is attached.
All the way to Key
All credit to Guyon Espiner for another hard-hitting interview with Key on Morning Report today. Espiner tries to get a straight answer from Key over his personal contacts with Slater. Tries and tries and tries, to no avail. It is clear that Key, personally and through his office, is up to his neck in dirty politics.
Dirty Filthy Red Herring
Big fish and little fish.
Well that deteriorated quickly
The Sunday Star Times has reported on the Hotchin – Slater attack on SFO boss Adam Feeley. The email which caused John Key to effectively sack Judith Collins as a Minister was provided by Cathy Odgers. The intent was to put off a SFO/FMA investigation into Hotchin. This is third world stuff.
“VRWC” exposes rift at top of National
There is a self-appointed “Vast Right Wing Conspiracy” in New Zealand. Odgers and Slater are key members. Search VRWC on Slater’s website and you’ll find their activities. After Pansy Wong’s forced resignation from Cabinet for misuse of her travel perk the VRWC thought the National Cabinet needed “some serious steel going forward.” You can read the minutes of their virtual white-board session on post-it cards – the rifts at the top are deep and nasty.
Fairfax Media’s polling on Dirty Politics
The latest Dominion Post contains survey data on people’s responses to Dirty Politics but attempts to manufacture a message by quoting selected interviews suggesting that Labour and not National have been hurt by Hager’s revelations. The headlines though are that half of all New Zealanders think less highly of John Key and 7.9% of voters are considering changing their vote. National should be afraid.
Key can’t work with the Greens because…
They care about Child Poverty (and presumably he doesn’t)
National: Not Our Future marches across New Zealand Aotearoa
Three weeks before the election, action is being taken across the country voicing a rejection of the National Government’s track record and direction. Rallies are being held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin to oppose National’s attacks on workers, abuse of the environment, inequality, cronyism and dirty politics.
Does Key want it?
Last night there was one participant in the debate who looked disinterested and unhappy to be there: John Key. Has he had enough?
Cunliffe 1 Key 0
Two new polls with different conclusions drawn and the first Leadership debate with a win to David Cunliffe. He may be a sterling campaign away from being the next Prime Minister.
And the winner is…
The pundits say: Cunliffe
I think that most New Zealanders…
Our PM is fond of telling us all what we think. In the wake of Dirty Politics he is working it overtime, telling us all that we believe his spin. Interesting then to get some actual data on what (extrapolating from a sample) most New Zealanders really do think. Many thanks to the Horizon polling people for putting this up on line.
The first head-to-head debate – tonight!
The first head-to-head debate between David Cunliffe and John Key (tonight, 7pm, TV One) could be a real turning point of the election.
Caption competition
Polity: Hooton on Key on SIS: Bullshit!
Rob says: Key was either complicit in the SIS document release to Whaleoil, or he has a gross dereliction of duty. Let’s hear what his answers are to that.
Dirty pictures
Cartoons and other images of Dirty Politics.
Interview with “Key”…
Billed as “Decision 2014 Part 1”, Here’s Michael Hurst staring as John Key’s office…
Tax cut cynicism
According to the PM, Bill English saying there won’t be tax cuts was both true and untrue at the same time, like a fiscal Schroedinger’s Cat.
Just answer the questions John
John Key has taken to answering relevant questions about Dirty Politics by refusing to answer them. But these questions go to the heart of the issue of whether he is fit to be New Zealand’s Prime Minister and deserve to be answered.
Labour’s housing plan is much better
National has announced its housing policy using Labour’s Kiwisaver scheme to provide extra money to first home buyers. But the policy will only add to housing inflation instead of addressing it.
An ethical example
National’s membership website had an open backdoor that’s just been closed. The hacker who found it didn’t do what John Key reckons anyone would do and take advantage; he reported. Careful John Key – your ethics are showing.
We Are Asking the Wrong Question
The Prime Minister has so far managed, by the skin of his teeth, to avoid censure by claiming that he was not personally involved in the disreputable behaviour about the SIS OIA that has come to light. But he has been able to do so because we have been asking the wrong question.
Timeline: Key responsible for SIS release
Key is responsible for the release of SIS briefing notes to Cameron Slater – one of the main issues summarised in Dirty Politics. Here’s the timeline in detail.
Hacked election
John Key says the election is in danger of being stolen by a hacker. What he is afraid of is that the election is going to be “stolen” by the truth.
Newspeak
John Key’s reaction to the revelations in “Dirty Politics” is straight out of Orwell’s classic 1984.
English to lead the National Party?
Bill English was the first senior Nat to distance himself from Key’s dirty politics. Now, according to one of our commenters (Tracey) who was called, the Nats’ polling company is sounding out English as a possible party leader.
John Key’s Groundhog day II
A 2011 press conference video has cast further doubt on John Key’s claim that he did not know about the release of sensitive information to Cameron Slater.
Updated: The recollection of Tucker doesn’t match what John Key said in 2011. What spaghetti explanation will Johnnie give today.
Dirty politics – the South is revolted
Plenty of editorial comment is decrying Key’s dirty politics. Two pieces from the Deep South yesterday were particularly forthright. Can Key walk on sewerage?