NZF is finished
Here’s a prediction for you.
election 2017
Election debates to be 2 vs. 1
“Mike Hosking will present the TVNZ election debates again”.
How high will Ardern’s Labour go?
If Jacinda Ardern’s Labour can get a jump to 33-36% in the polls in just one week, how high can it go for the election? We need to see further gains coming from National – and they will. We need to see the Green vote recover – and it will…
Two good polls for Labour – and a call to arms for the Greens
Two polls out tonight show a big surge for Labour and Jacinda Ardern. But we need a strong Green vote too. To those whom Metiria inspired – please don’t give up on voting. The Greens need you now more than ever!
The Kelvin Davis effect
Much has been written about the Jacinda Ardern effect that has put Labour so enthusiastically back in the game. But the appointment of Kelvin Davis as deputy is also looking like a very smart move.
Ardern effect taps pent-up mood for change
A week is a long time in politics, as the saying goes. The election has been turned upside down. The long pent-up mood for change has found its champion.
Don’t expect the impossible of Ardern
I enjoy a ray of hope as much as the next leftie, and Jacinda Ardern is off to an incredible start, but let’s not burden her with impossible expectations.
The Ardern effect – and why this leadership change was different
With donations and volunteers flooding in, I think it’s fair to say that reaction to Jacinda Ardern has exceeded all expectations. Why was this leadership change different? Two reasons…
Acclaim for Jacinda Ardern
Changing leaders this close to an election was a political gamble for Labour, but it has already paid off. The commentary is almost universally positive, the reviews for Ardern are glowing. Donations are flowing in. Activists are energised and people are talking.
Labour leadership announcement – livestream
The livestream is over. A very impressive performance from Jacinda Ardern.
Thank you Andrew – go well Jacinda!
Unlike lprent I am not discouraged by Little stepping down. New leadership is a real opportunity for Labour. Little: “As leader, I must take responsibility for these results. I do take responsibility and believe that Labour must have an opportunity to perform better under new leadership through to the election.”
Little gone
Andrew Little has stepped down – expects Jacinda to replace him.
ACT in blue – gives up all pretense
NZF members are lefties – will they get a say in choosing government?
Current polls leave National/minor and Labour/Green both short of majority. The chances of NZF determining the shape of the next government are increasing. I’ve always assumed that Peters would go with National, but maybe not, if NZF members get a say.
Metiria’s gamble pays off in latest poll
To what must be intense annoyance from angry right-wing pundits, Metiria Turei’s gamble seems to have paid off for The Greens, an indication (though mind that margin of error) that there could be a real appetite for a Corbyn-style political revolution this election.
The Nuk Korako Cover Up
Will Nuk Korako blame his children this time?
Tax cuts or fix this…
Auckland City Councilor Richard Hills yesterday tweeted some of the things we would like to see fixed before a tax cut. You might want to add to the list. Good thing Labour is promising to cancel the cuts and spend billions more on health and education.
Labour’s plan – billions for health and education
Labour has just released costed details of its comprehensive plan to put $8b more over four years into health and $4b into education. Excellent.
Labour’s first campaign ad
Good message – good messaging
Nats’ poll fall 2014 2017
Toby Manhire on The Spinoff has an interesting analysis of the recent Colmar Brunton poll. Comapred to the same poll in 2014 National are 5% down, with the Labour/Green alliance unchanged. The fall in the preferred PM rating from Key to English is huge. The Nats are highly vulnerable.
Narratives out of noise
Another poll, another round of narratives out of noise.
Peters posturing
As usual in election year, Peters is posturing left and right.
100 Days
It’s 100 days to the election!
Young voters have the power…
Trying to wedge the Greens
The political right try it on every election year, in an attempt to sow a bit of discord. I expect this sort of obvious and clumsy wedge politics from Hooton and the like, but I was a bit surprised to see Duncan Garner having a go.
Roy Morgan poll (please no not Winston)
The chronically erratic Roy Morgan poll is out again, with Nat vs Lab/Green in a dead heat.
Pity the RWNJ (for they are going to be spinning in pain)
If you are one of the right wing nut jobs that read this site, then Horizon puts out some truly scary polls. But if you aren’t an idiot and actually take the time to read material before criticizing it (unlike Hooton on ‘Hit and Run’) then this points to a tight election as is usual under MMP. But with all of the swing in the direction of a Labour led coalition. But I am sure the simpleton spinners will have another explanation.
Labour’s Auckland Push
Matt McCarten is to head a new Labour party office in Auckland. The party is going to take to fight to National in the city that decides the election. Yet another bold step from Andrew Little, who is looking more and more like the next PM.
The Spinoff: Housing crisis costing Nats
The Spinoff: “Lose the top of your party vote in Auckland, with Labour making ground, and the picture for the general election in 2017 looks like, walks like and quacks like a crisis.”
Clayton Cosgrove to Leave Parliament
Labour List MP Clayton Cosgrove has announced he is to leave Parliament.
Labour – clearing the decks
Labour has positioned itself astutely in the run up to and early stages of its conference. Best news, there will be proper cooperation with The Greens next election.
Standard questions: Andrew Little
A couple of weeks ago we asked readers to suggest questions for written answers from the candidates. We chose / edited six questions, and sent them to the four campaigns. Here are Andrew Little’s answers.
Andrew Little’s plan for Labour
One of the most important challenges we must confront is rebuilding our Party and our movement.