So National has finally reverted to the 'stolen emails' defence to combat the damaging recordings from the weekend's party conference. I'm only surprised it's taken them this long - the misdirection tactic is classic Crosby Textor and it's served the Nats well in the past.…
Here's the top 10 policy priorities that John Key bullet-pointed at the conference on Sunday. See if you can spot what's missing: 1. Tax cuts. (for the rich) 2. Disciplined Government spending. (while borrowing huge amounts for unspecified government spending) 3. Stop growth of public…
It has been revealed that Bill English isn't the only senior Nat who has been discussing a secret agenda behind closed doors. On TV3 tonight, a recording was played of Lockwood Smith saying: "There's some bloody dead fish you have to swallow... to get into…
So, the rumour is that Kiwisaver will be slashed to fund National's tax cut policy. Currently, the Government spends up to the following on each Kiwisaver member: - $1000 on sign-up - Up to $1040 a year in matching contributions - Up to $1040 a…
The 'Key-English secret recording followed by denial followed by excuse followed by apology' debacle is, well, an utter debacle. If these clowns ever win an election - which has to be questionable after this sort of political mismanagement - similar antics will make opposition rather…
On National Radio's Morning Report and Nine to Noon yesterday, Key ran the 'not telling' line once again and it was once too often. Asked a simple question: 'What projects are you going to spend the extra money you plan to borrow on?' Key refused…
Here's the segment on the English meltdown from TV One last night. [I wanted to put up TV3's as well - it's good coverage, including interviews with KiwiBank customers - but I just can't seem to deal with their flaky video stream (anyone else have…
After a stunning attack on John Key last night, Bill English is now reverting to more standard National techniques for handling 'accidental frankness'. Initially, deny. When played a recording, claim not to remember it. When that doesn't kill the story, claim to have 'mis-spoken'. Finally,…
The English tape has exploded into a massive scandal. You'll be familiar with the content of the recording: - English mocks voters as greedy simpletons taken in by a flashy con-man "they're saying that nice Mr Key, he's pretty smart, he will get me some…
Despite the economic slowdown, the labour market is holding up well and wages are up at the record rate. The average hourly wage is now $24, up from $21.90 an hour 2 years ago. That's a 9.6% increase. Take away 6.1% inflation and the average…
To justify borrowing for tax cuts, National's new line is that New Zealand has 'a growth problem, not a debt problem'. Untrue. (source) New Zealand's growth has been faster in recent years than trend, faster than it was under National, and faster than growth in…
The scandal over Bill English's comments at the National Party conference has not only overshadowed Key's purposely vague conference announcements, it has derailed National's entire election strategy. The audio is damning. Clearly and unequivocally, we have National's Deputy Leader saying National will 'eventually' (possibly within…