NRT: “The TPP is too important for democracy”

Fran O’Sullivan seems to be arguing against democracy in her bitter little rant in Saturday’s Herald against Labour’s opposition to the TPP. Labour, of course, is representing its constituents, many of whom have significant doubts about the TPP or its benefits to New Zealand (or to them). That’s what political parties should do in a democratic country.

Treaty of Versailles – Greek edition

Just like there clearly are first class Euros and second class Euros, it is just as clear that there are first class Europeans and second class Europeans. Nothing is settled and the chance of further conflict is high.

NRT: National hates transparency

Yesterday Labour tried to put forward a Parliamentary motion calling on the government to release the draft text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement before signing it, on the simple democratic grounds that the public deserved to know what agreements were being made in our name. National refused to. The upshot: National hates transparency. It also hates democracy.

Maori Party to quit Govt?

News in on the Herald says the Maori party are talking the talk over National’s latest insult to Maori.

Will they quit the Government?  Or will the smell of those limo seats  mean another backdown in a couple of weeks?

Average Joe: Don Brash withdraws from Treaty debate…why?

Dr. Don Brash has pulled out of a debate on Treaty issues to be held on TV3’s ‘The Nation’. Which is curious considering Act’s ‘one law for all’ policy is directly concerned with treaty issues. Average Joe points out his take on why Act isn’t there. Plaudits to The Nation for having the debate, brickbats to Act for avoiding the debate – at least send along the person who knows the policy….