Tane's made the point before but it's worth making again: National may have a new frontman but at its core is largely unchanged - and since being ousted nearly a decade ago, members of the National Party Old Boys' Club have been plotting their return…
John Key's claims that Labour has been digging through the rubbish outside his Helensville electorate office have been dismissed by Michael Cullen this morning as paranoia. However, CCTV footage revealed exclusively to The Standard suggests Mr Key might just be onto something. Remember John, it's…
The dreadful Judith Collins is once again peddling lies about sickness beneficiaries to try and soften the ground for National to throw our most sick and vulnerable citizens back into work if they ever regain power. In a press release this afternoon, Collins screams: "the…
Here's the recent coverage from TV3 and political reporter Duncan Garner. On Bill English's comments regarding the sale of Kiwibank (aired August 4, 2008): On Lockwood Smith's hints at a secret agenda (aired August 5, 2008): [Apologies for errors in the previous videos, have re-uploaded…
Sources tell us that National's President was overheard yesterday to remark "We think it was one of our Young Nats" regarding the National Party Conference revelations. Not only that: 'We think there is more to come." Sounds like rats in the Nats.
After a mysterious three week absence, Drinking Liberally Wellington is back tomorrow evening. Here's the email: We're only half way through a week overflowing with political news so there should be plenty to discuss over a beer tomorrow at the Southern Cross ;) Come join…
National's attempt to contain the meltdown from Bill English's secret agenda comments at the National conference and on TV1 collapsed when it emerged Lockwood Smith was also talking about a secret agenda at the conference. Now, the fallout is raining down on them. So, National…
If you didn't already have enough doubts about whether to trust John Key, Bill English and Lockwood Smith by virtue of the recent revelations here's another one to ponder. A promise to resign over future policy isn't new territory for the Nats. Neither is failing to keep it (click image for larger…
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…
Rather than discussing the quote from Bill English that he would sell Kiwibank, David Farrar is whining that the protest outside the National Party conference today breached the EFA because it did not contain authorisation. Once again, Farrar would rather try to attack on technicalities…
In a speech described by attendees as 'more bullet points', John Key announced to the National Party conference today that National would borrow $5 billion more over 6 years to finance infrastructure - specifically roads and the broadband 'plan'. The money-man has dressed it up cleverly,…
At last an upfront acknowledgement of the Exclusive Brethren's support for National during the 2005 election campaign. According to Colin Espiner: Day One of National's annual conference is nearly over and so far the biggest clanger has been departing Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson's thank-you to the…
Today, Bill English is outlining National's plan to undo the work of the past fifteen years and take this country further into debt. He will argue that National would not be borrowing for its programme of tax cuts for the wealthy, rather it would borrow…
A tale of woe from Idiot/Savant: Sometime this afternoon, Blogger, in its infinite wisdom, decided that No Right Turn was a "spam blog" and locked it. I have naturally asked for a review, and sometime in the next two business days (yeah right) someone at…
The EPMU launched its 'Work Rights Wage Drive' today with a rally in Christchurch. Despite the rain, over 1500 Kiwi workers turned out to stand up for their work rights and wages. This is just the first of 25 rallies the EPMU will be undertaking…