Lockwood 'small hands' Smith is digging himself deeper into a hole that is going to destroy his legacy as Speaker over the Mojo Mathers' right to participate in Parliamentary debate. The Minister for Disabilities, Tariana Turia, is missing in action (probably off granting more of…
Lower the threshold and reduce wasted vote; leave it at 2-3% to make it less likely multiple one-man bands hold balance of power. Stop winning an electorate being a route to getting list seats; eliminate most dirty deals. Let List MPs run in by-elections and…
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Watch Grant Robertson's question to Key today; Robertson to Key on Radio Live Key didn't know his office was involved in the show that breached the Broadcasting Act, even though he personally chose the guests? It was a matter solely between the Electoral Commission and…
Making Mojo Mathers pay for the tech she needs to participate in debate is bad enough. She is a democratically elected member and the people who put her there deserve effective representation. Saying that deaf people don't count as 'disabled' is outrageous. More bigotry from…
You may have noticed the ads about The Standard for the MMP Review that the Electoral Commission announced yesterday. MMP won last year's referendum with 57% of the vote, so now's your chance to have your say on what MMP will look like in the…
The four new Labour MPs make their first ("maiden") speeches today in Parliament, starting at 5pm. Details on how to tune in are here (audio only instructions here). The speaking order is: David Clark Andrew Little Megan Woods Rino Tirikatene I'd expect to hear some…
A number of terms are bandied about to describe both John Key and the John Key Government. Using such terms and trying to reconcile their seeming contradictions can prove confusing. Indeed, from time to time we have seen such confusion manifest itself on this blog…
The Bankers' Crisis is hurting people all over the world. From the deepest, darkest austerity in Greece, to the continuing foreclosure tsunami in the US, to cutbacks and job losses here, it's the ordinary people suffering the hangover for the bankers' wild decades of unbridled…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here Rumours are swirling of an imminent leadership challenge within the All Blacks camp. Speculation began that Richie McCaw may face a challenge to his captaincy…
Not everyone in the Beehive is thrilled that National is throwing away its chance at a third term for the sake of asset sales which make no sense, economically or politically. The Standard has obtained a copy of the generic column that National MPs are…
Capitalism is good. Globalisation is good. These are pretty much givens in "Western" countries. Certainly they are taken for granted in mainstream New Zealand politics. The two major parties tinker with the parameters, but they're both playing in the same ball park. But it's good…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...