Is it just me, or is Sue Bradford working harder, and getting more media coverage than all of the Greens put together? See this:
National Charges Ahead with Shameful Welfare Programme
‘The formation of a ministerial group to implement the shameful Rebstock report on welfare is vicious and unnecessary,’ says AAAP spokesperson Sue Bradford
Or this:
Sweeping benefit changes ‘horrifying’
Proposed welfare reforms that aim to push people into work are “vile” and the punitive sanctions on beneficiaries will only put further strain on community organisations, advocates say.
This:
Coalition protests ‘tough budget’
Around 100 people carrying an effigy of Paula Bennett marched up Auckland’s Queen St today. They were protesting against the government’s budget released last week – though Social Development Minister Paula Bennett came in for particular attention.
The march was organised by the Coalition for Social Justice included Sue Bradford, John Minto and Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni.
This:
Bradford: Govt chasing votes from beneficiary bashing
Benefit rights activist Sue Bradford says the government is appealing to the grimmest part of the New Zealand psychology by making welfare reform an election issue.
This:
John Key’s heart of darkness
by Sue BradfordJohn Key’s announcement that a high powered Ministerial group is to be formed to advance the Rebstock welfare reforms confirms that beneficiary bashing will lie at the heart of National’s election campaign this year.
And so on. Just yesterday, Bradford spoke out against the Greens’ positioning for the November election – see her own words here, or this account in The Herald:
Green Party abandoned principles – Bradford
Anti-poverty activist Sue Bradford has revealed she left the Green Party over what she saw as its shift toward right wing politics. …
The Greens announced on the weekend they may consider working with National.
In a speech to party faithful, Ms Turei said the prospect of a coalition or confidence and supply arrangement with National was “highly unlikely”, but did not rule it out.
Ms Bradford … accused the party of abandoning its radical principles to open itself to relationships with Labour and National.
“The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand has now joined the majority of Green Parties around the world who believe that in the struggle to save the planet Greens should support any party in government with whom they can cut good enough deals.
What is a “good enough deal” to justify putting the Green stamp of legitimacy on a bad government? We’ve been through at least one round of discussion on this topic before at The Standard. Suffice to say that not all activists support the Green party in this decision. Bradford certainly thinks that the Greens are selling out.
I don’t want to be too quick to criticise. In my opinion parties of the left should cooperate, stick together, and give each other breathing room, rather than leaping in with the self-defeating attacks. I’m not personally comfortable with the Greens opening the door, however slightly, to National, but of course it’s their party to run as they see fit. I do think, however, that the Greens made a big mistake when they let Bradford slip away. She clearly still has the fire and the presence that the left so critically need to display in abundance over the next few months. She is speaking out for the powerless. Thank you Sue Bradford.
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