Labour’s cabinet
Some details of the new Cabinet announced today by Jacinda Ardern.
Open mike 02/11/2020
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The Covid crisis
A surge in Covid infections in Europe and in the United States is raising the specter that the most pessimistic predictions about the disease and its effect on the health system may occur. And right wing governments appear to be spectacularly unable to deal with the crisis.
Less buzz and more cooperative governing
I liked the process for the Greens and Labour agreement. From Labour’s side after this election it was logically completely unnecessary, except maybe under some weird scenarios. But it is cooperative and that is clearly something that voters reward these days. Politics isn’t about buzz. It is about effective governance.
Open mike 01/11/2020
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The Green Party’s decision on government
Which way are the Greens going to jump?
Business Develops Practical Plan for New Zealand Climate Response
The Sustainable Business Council has released a list of priorities for the new government. And they are pretty good.
Open mike 31/10/2020
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UK Labour suspends Corbyn for stating the obvious about anti-semitism in the Party
Following a report into anti-semitism in the UK Labour party, Corbyn said it exists in the Party but it is over-stated and the campaign against it is politically-motivated by opponents inside and outside the Party. He was instantly suspended from the party and had the whip removed by leader Sir Keir Starmer, which seems excessive and will cause further discord. Corbyn is not an anti-Semite.
Daily review 30/10/2020
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The reeferendum fails
The referendum seeking to decriminalise cannabis appears to have failed narrowly although special votes are still to be counted.
On the US election.
This year forecasting the U.S. election has an interesting additional element, with Trump and the Republican Party gearing up to steal the election if it is not a landslide for their opponents. It is going to be difficult with Joe Biden currently estimated at a 89% probability of winning the electoral college.
Its all just manure – mix it in and avoid the river.
There has been a rather patronising meme running in recent weeks that voters who previously voted National did so because they wanted to make sure Labour didn’t want the Greens to be in government. Just complete bullshit. As far as I can see most voters and their MPs vote for our collective future like I do and expect the political mixing to provide good outcomes for us all.
Open mike 30/10/2020
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Daily review 29/10/2020
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Could the real Labour Party please stand up
We need to get the Labour government to focus on decreasing inequality and poverty in all its forms and effects. The new government needs to show that Labour has changed the country for good. Otherwise there’s no reason to vote for them in 2023.
Aotearoa New Zealand is a hell hole paradise dystopian democracy
Fox News has seized upon a four month old video of Jacinda Ardern to suggest that New Zealand has a terrifying new response to the disease and are throwing people into quarantine camps.
Open mike 29/10/2020
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Trump Hacked.
Had to laugh, albeit with a resigned anger, when I saw this in my emails today. This afternoon, the official Trump campaign website was hacked and defaced.
Daily review 28/10/2020
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The boy from Matamata
Trump deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell, who is also a Kiwi, has announced his candidacy to be head of the OECD. The Greens have announced their opposition because he has been part of inhumane decisions and also decisions that undermine international institutions. The right back him because he is a kiwi. What should Labour do?
Justice Coney Barrett appears to be a climate change denier
Newly appointed Republican and Trump supported Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is not convinced that humans are changing the world’s climate. Meanwhile China and Japan are convinced and have announced dates by which time they intend to be carbon neutral.
Open mike 28/10/2020
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Daily review 27/10/2020
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A bit about how The Standard works
Mostly about moderation.
Melbourne gets on top of Covid
Yesterday the city of Melbourne recorded its first day of no new reported covid infections in nearly five months. At the same time in America the White House has effectively said that control is too difficult and that it is giving up.
Open mike 27/10/2020
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Labour day
Enjoying your weekend? Thank a unionist!
Open mike 26/10/2020
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Large caucuses can be devilishly dangerous as National showed
A post mortem of the 2017-2020 parliament shows that far from being the “opposition from hell” as they had threatened, National’s caucus was as ineffective as Donald Trump dealing to Covid 19. It is a salutary lesson for the new Labour caucus which has won 64 seats in the new parliament. There may be many backbench MPs who are underemployed.
What should Labour do in the next three years?
With the hand brake gone and the Government’s policy platform already complete what should the Labour Government set out to achieve this term?
Kelvin for DPM
Some thoughts on who the country’s Deputy Prime Minister should be.
Open mike 25/10/2020
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Rangitata and the Future of the National Party
As National reels from the disastrous 2020 election result could a policy based on high tech agriculture represent a way back?
Open mike 24/10/2020
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Daily review 23/10/2020
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