Nat Vote: And the Loser Is ….
The Nation holds its breath as the dullest political leadership race in a generation snores to a close. Who will win by losing? Who will lose by winning? Who cares?
UPDATE: It’s Mullertime!
UPDATE: Bennett dumped!
simon bridges
Pollwatch for Newshub/Reid Research poll, 18th May 2020
The latest Newshub/Reid Research poll is a bloodbath for National- but who are the likely victims? Pollwatch is back, this time with a model for electorate winners and losers to add onto the party vote stats.
Newshub Poll Shock!
The May 2020 Newshub/Reid Research poll is astonishing. You’ve have, quite literally, never seen anything like it.
Two Bubbles Bridges’ Big Day Out
Simon ‘Two Bubbles’ Bridges feels he’s entitled to flaunt the rules because he’s, ahem, essential.
Burning Bridges
One of Simon Bridges’ caucus supporters has raised the possibility of a leadership coup. Let’s hope not, people!
November Stuff Poll; Nats Knackered
Stuff have released their latest YouGov political poll. It’s a shocker for the Tories and their current leader Simon Bridges.
Black Hole
The first image of a black hole has been released. It’s brighter than expected, but kinda underwhelming.
Pretty Legal: SFO to Investigate Nat Donation
NZ Police have confirmed that the Serious Fraud Office is investigating donations received by the National Party.
Walls and Bridges
It’s been a horror week for two leaders and a leader who will never be leader.
TRP casts a wary and weary eye over three political zombies whose time appears up.
And, oh, Jeremy Corbyn.
Should We Fear Judith Collins?
So, it turns out Simon’s a dud. What do the Tories do about it? And can Judith Collins really make a difference?
National; Leaking Like a Sieve
Another day, another leak from the National Party. If it’s not JLR, just who is poking the borax inside the Tory caucus?
Proxy Music
Jami-Lee Ross has passed his proxy vote to NZ First, elevating waka jumping to an Olympic sport. How bad does it have to get before the Tory caucus puts Simon Bridges out of his misery?
TVNZ Colmar Brunton Poll
National slump in the latest poll; Judith Collins is up in the preferred PM race.
Jami-Lee Ross: But Wait, There’s More!
Jami-Lee Ross has twisted the knife a little further into Simon Bridge’s back this arvo, releasing a second tape and announcing he won’t be quitting Parliament. Turns out he may need the income to fund a divorce.
Jami-Lee Ross Doubles Down; Resigns From Parliament
Jami-Lee Ross is to resign from Parliament amid further claims about unlawful activity from Tory leader Simon Bridges. Ross says he will stand in the Botany by-election. Ross also says he will lay a complaint against Bridges with the Police.
Bludger Bridges
Simon Bridges has blown over $100k of your money in just three months, tiki touring around the country at the taxpayers expense. Nice work if you can get it!
Update: A Shark Jumps Matthew Hooton. Live on Twitter!
No Mates National
Peter Dunne has some sage advice for National; phone a friend. If you can find one.
Pollwatch: Colmar Brunton 28/5/2018
Hot on the heels of Reid Research, TVNZ has also been doing post-budget polling, and this one paints a bit of a different picture.
Pollwatch: Reid Research, 27/05/2018
The latest Newshub/Reid Research poll is out, and it continues to be less than stellar news for the opposition, but also for New Zealand First.
Jacinda 3, Simon 0
Avid watchers of Simon Bridges’ regular breakfast television appearances debating Jacinda Ardern when they were both relatively junior MPs will recall that 9 […]
Bridges burnt in media reviews
It’s pretty grim reading for the new Nat leader this morning. Pundits reckon he has no show in 2020.
National is united
National is united. There are no murmurings about leadership and Bill English’s and Paula Bennett’s positions are secure.
Bill’s Rolling – pros and cons
Since reading the news that the Nats are thinking about ditching Bill English, I’ve been trying to decide what my (completely honest and […]
Bye Bill?
Barry Soper is claiming that the numbers are being done on sorting out a replacement for Bill English and Paula Bennett may be gone as deputy leader as early as next week.
Build a bridge and get over it
Finally conceding the government’s majority, Bridges is complaining that Labour has struck back on his boss’ plan to obstruct the government on select committees by following through on his own plans to reduce their size.
The days of National dick waving
The spin that National are running is that they are unhappy with the move to reduce the MPs in select committees. That their dick size opposition party is the largest make me see teenage boys being idiots. Because there is no substantive difference to parliament from when this was recommended and now.
National’s Auckland Transport announcement
In an attempt to take the thunder away from Labour’s Auckland Transport announcement National’s offer was leaked this week to the Herald. But it is uninspiring, and shows a continued commitment to roading as providing a solution.
Transport in Auckland and National’s deliberate incompetence
National appear to be completely uninterested in spending Aucklander’s transport taxes on Auckland. Instead they want to put in roads that have no economic measurable benefits for Auckland except to increase the road congesting trucks on our roads. Why do National hate Auckland?
There is something rotten in the Ministry of Transport
Radio New Zealand is reporting that the State Services Commission will report today that it believes that the convicted fraudster Joanne Harrison forced whistleblowers out of the Transport Ministry in 2015. Updated with link to formal announcement.
Bridges and flouting the OIA
Simon Bridges tried to block the release of a report on a Kiwirail proposal. The Ombudsman warns against flouting the Official Information Act. But it’s a well established pattern of behaviour with this government.
The Standard is offering to the National Party leadership contenders guest post slots
In the spirit of bi partisanship the Standard wishes to offer the candidates for leadership of the National caucus guest post slots and the ability to answer readers’ questions.
Who will be the next National leader?
Following the shock resignation of John Key as Prime Minister the question will be asked. Who will the next leader of the National Party be?
Who will be to blame if a bridge collapses?
Who will be to blame if untested, undetected, weak steel causes the collapse of a structure?
How to wreck a busway
The Government’s proposal to allow hybrid vehicles to use bus lanes is not only crazy but they did not talk to local authorities before doing so.
GPS
GPS may offer the perfect way to enforce a fuel tax but how do we feel about the Government knowing where we are and where we are heading every minute of the day?
When is a toll road not a toll road?
When it is a variable network pricing mechanism …