Shearer Says
David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter, this week on Labour’s Conference, and leadership.
We’re happy to post similar newsletters from other opposition leaders – our email is on our contact page.
A stronger mandate for the Labour leader?
A Labour Party member writes, praising Labour for the new democratic reforms, and calling for David Shearer to submit his leadership to the new Party selection process: “David Shearer, you need a mandate from this new organisation, not a prop-up from the shards of the old one. Give us this chance to really unite behind you, or your successor, and give you the backing you surely will have earned”.
Poverty Watch 13
Welcome to Poverty Watch, a weekly update on National’s lack of response to the urgent and growing issue of poverty in NZ. This week, while National sits on its hands, Labour set out a policy that addresses poverty, housing and health…
Unsworth slams Police, Crown Law
Hot on the heels of his bold stand against environmental scientists, uber-lobbyist Mark Unsworth has come out swinging against the police and crown law over their unpatriotic highlighting of crime in New Zealand.
Open mike 24/11/2012
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: how is gay babby formed?
As the Government Administration Committee hears submissions on the Marriage Equality Bill, one committee member is doing his best to make the whole thing a clear illustration of how pathetic homophobes are.
Hager and Price on OIA 30 years on
On the 30th anniversary of the Official Information Act, it’s worth pausing to ask: is it fit for service? Was it ever? Will the government pick up on the Law Commission’s recent recommendations? Will these make things better or worse? Author and investigative journalist Nicky Hager and media lawyer Steven Price will discuss these issues at Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington on Monday 26 November at 5:30pm. All Welcome.
Weekend social 23/11/2012
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
Caption Contest
NRT: More dictatorship from Brownlee
No Right Turn on the Nats’ contemplating yet another way to trample on democracy in Christchurch.
Democracy is not the problem
During the Labour conference, Armstrong patronisingly wrote “delegates were so blinded and so intoxicated by the prospect of securing a say in the election of future leaders that they did not think through the consequences”. Old Tories hate democracy. But it’s disappointing that Garner made the same mistakes. Democracy doesn’t weaken, it strengthens – ask the Greens.
A party finds its voice
After Labour’s Conference a lot of media attention has focused on the constitutional changes relating to leadership. But other changes were even more important. Members will develop policy, and the process has become much more effective and more open. The policy platform will be binding on MPs – and is the package that will be taken to the electorate.
Open mike 23/11/2012
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Crays and Aussie Carrots
Damn, a kiwi recently moved to aussie explains what the attraction is and isn’t. Basically there is work there, the pay is better, and you can afford to eat out. But kiwi’s can take comfort that the food is crap – unless you go to a restaurant of course. Perhaps their politicians are better than their farmers.
Gender, politics & NZ LP conference 2012
The Labour Party are giving serious attention to the unacceptable gender inequalities in MP numbers and in pay. The Greens are leading in tackling the underlying masculine framework of politics and employment, and, along with Mana, unpaid work.
A good time to join Labour
Well there’s not been so much focus on the Labour Party for a long time so I figure now’s the time to point out that, thanks to rule changes (and not just the contentious ones) holding a Labour Party membership has never meant so much in terms of having a say in where the party (and hopefully, after 2014, the country) goes.
KiwiBuild roundup
Media reaction to KiwiBuild has been largely positive, the policy is described as “bold”, “brave”, and (just as important!) – “do able”. I’m sticking with my first reaction, this is a historic policy.
Open mike 22/11/2012
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
After the firefight
The results are in, the dust is settling – but where to now for Labour when the cries for “unity” seem to be more about making one side STFU?
Signathon this weekend
This weekend a major nationwide collection drive aims to reach the signature target to force a citizens initiated referendum on asset sales. Can you help to collect signatures?
Eruption
Humans tend to feel we have conquered nature, but, every now and then, we are reminded that we are dependent on it. Maori have continued to have more respect for the awesome power of nature. Tongariro has had a relatively minor eruption today.
In other news: the failings of Key’s government
John Key’s crony-capitalist, neoliberal government is failing NZ on the environment, affordable housing, and a living wage. Mana and the Greens are leading the way on affordable housing and anti-poverty campaigns. The Greens still lead the way on pressing environmental issues.
KiwiBuild vs. what?
KiwiBuild is an excellent policy that would make a real difference to housing, jobs, and the economy in NZ. John Key’s critique had all the credibility you’d expect from the man whose major economic policy was a cycleway.
Keystone coups Mark 2
David Cunliffe’s supporters have done him no good. I warned him about this months ago. The latest evidence comes from Greg Presland, spokesman for his electorate committee, going on Morning Report today. There may be a complaint made to the Party, although they haven’t decided yet, and they haven’t yet thought about what grounds there may be. Doesn’t sound that solid to me – I’m not sure they have a toe to stand on let alone a foot. Response to comments added.
Winners and losers
So, who won and who lost?
Open mike 21/11/2012
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Leadership meeting – the outcome
Shearer’s announcement is streaming live on 3 News at 5pm. Shearer has unanimous endorsement as leader. Cunliffe demoted, portfolios removed.
In other news, selling NZ: TPP, Hobbit rulz …
John Key is steaming ahead in selling NZ. He is Obama’s wing-man to extend the TPP into the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the “Hobbit Law” is taking a heavy toll on many NZ actors. And there are claims that the Hobbit production has been harming animals.
Do Not Press!
Funny thing about winnning the war is that it can take a bit of time to sink in.
One step too far
The minister for tertiary education, Stephen Joyce, may think he’s above the law but we don’t. He has told the New Zealand Herald “he would step in to force change at Auckland University” if necessary. What change does he want to force? He wants to determine what the university teaches. This threat shows the minister has little regard for New Zealand’s Education Act.
Shitting on the shoulders of giants
Those who control Labour at any given time are on the shoulders of giants. For the 4 years, Labour has been controlled by a clique that led Labour to its worst defeat. A year later, with their second choice frontman as leader, they’re still in charge and Labour’s still below its 2008 result, on track for another defeat. The membership voted no confidence in the old guard on Saturday.
On Loyalty
The ABC club would have us believe that David Cunliffe has ‘openly undermined’ both David Shearer’s leadership and Phil Goff’s before him.
These attempts to rewrite history are amusing but factually inaccurate. We all know who undermined Phil Goff’s leadership and it wasn’t David Cunliffe.
Leadership and unity
There is a Labour caucus meeting later today where, it is widely reported, Cunliffe is going to be demoted. I understand the temptation for Shearer. When challenged on his leadership he wants to portray the strong leader. But there is a better way. What we need now is reconciliation.
Open mike 20/11/2012
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to […]
Keystone coups
I’m reading “The Life and Times of Lyndon Johnson.” It’s fascinating, beautifully written, a must-read for anyone with an interest in politics. I recommended it recently to David Cunliffe, and he told me soon after he had got it. But he obviously hasn’t read it yet. His supporters’ clumsy attempt to make the Party leadership the focus of last weekend’s Conference backfired badly on him.
An apology to David Cunliffe
I’m sorry, David Cunliffe, for the part I have played in your downfall. Wait a minute, what?