Can UK Labour do it?

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, December 9th, 2019 - 164 comments
Categories: boris johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, labour, uk politics - Tags:

Very unlikely.

From the polls taken in the UK a few hours ago, the Conservatives are in for an historic fourth consecutive term in Parliament.

Just six months ago the Conservatives were in total disarray, with their Prime Minister regularly humiliated in Europe and in the UK Parliament. Labour should have been able to best a government that was falling apart and that had pulled Parliament into total paralysis for several years in a row.

Rather than get to the role of leadership, it’s worth looking for a moment at the main party policy highlights.

UK Labour are not short of attractive policies.

Their leader Jeremy Corbyn launched the Labour Party manifesto with an announcement of a spending spree of £83 billion to bring in “real change”, which will be funded by raising taxes and extra borrowing, should the Labour Party win a majority in the 2019 general election.

The Labour leader vowed to take on “vested interests” in society and set out a radical programme.

Labour’s 105-page manifesto set out plans what Mr Corbyn described as a “radical and ambitious plan to transform our country in decades.”

They include:

– Increase the health budget by 4.3%, and that includes scrapping prescription charges, no charges for parking at hospitals, and free basic dentistry. And of course not selling out the entire national system through a trade deal with the United States once the UK leaves the EU

– A “final say on Brexit” referendum, and Corbyn has promised he will remain neutral if he gets to hold one

– Raise the minimum wage from £8.21 to £10 an hour.

– Pension age remains at 66. And reviews for starting younger if you’ve been in an arduous job.

– A comprehensive nationside National Care Service, like they already have operating in Scotland.

– Bring forward the “net carbon zero” target by about a decade

– Re-nationalise key industries such as Royal Mail, the Big Six energy firms, the national grid, the entire water industry, all railways, and the broadband arm on British Telecom.

– Free bus travel for everyone under 25

And there’s more, but you can get a sense it’s not lacking in ambition.

Whatever labels one would wish to put on them, UK Labour have a pretty proud history of similarly bold policy action, which you can see in their history.

But this time – unlike 2017 – their campaign hasn’t caught on with the general public.

It made some inroads for a while. Unfortunately that was after several months of tanking. And it has failed to push upward in the critical final days towards 40%.

It’s clearly not yet time to call on whether Labour will achieve power, because miracles have happened before. Did anyone really think that World War 2 giant Winston Churchill would be turfed out so soon by Labour after his leadership to victory? But it happened.

OK sure, this isn’t a post-war moment. And as per above, it’s very unlikely.

It’s just that Corbyn feels as policy-nerdy as Attlee.

For the long version of what I mean by that, see Ken Loach’s “Spirit of ’45”, which had plenty of interviews with those who executed that bold set of policies and also those who benefitted.

That is a serious warm bath in soporific nostalgia. Back when the state was the state and did stuff.

Maybe Labour winning the battle on Instagram means they lose but gain even more of the young generation to secure a win some other time in the future. Pretty cold comfort.

In my industry I talk to a lot of recent UK professional emigrants to New Zealand. They generally refer to the UK now in very negative terms. Words like “shithole” and “wrecked”. There’s not a lot of belief in the effectiveness of politics to change things for good.

That view will certainly be reinforced by a further Conservative win.

So for a sense of what is likely to be implemented under a Boris Johnson government, here’s a few of their manifesto highlights:

– For England itself, increase the number of nurses by 50,000

– Leave the EU in January 2020

– No Income Tax, VAT, or National Insurance Tax rises

– Pension increased per year by either rate of inflation, or CPI, or 2.5% (whichever is highest)

– No one will sell their home to pay for care

– Net carbon emissions by 2050

– A points-based immigration system

There’s more in the summary here.

There’s a very strong likelihood that this is another term – possibly another 5 year term – in which the memory of what is possible for the UK left recedes further and further away into historical memory.

So in policy terms there is quite a big set of differences, and for the UK as a whole quite a lot at stake for the direction the UK could go.

By the end of this week we should know which way that is.

164 comments on “Can UK Labour do it? ”

  1. Blazer 1

    I guess Labours promises seem …'tooo good to …be true'!

  2. Sanctuary 2

    The defeatism, cynicism and nativist sentiment of a defeated boomer generation infects everything in the UK to the point of morbidity at the moment. These defeated boomers – the vast majority of UK boomers perceive themselves as defeated, hence their inchoate anger – had welfare, unions and a reasonable living standard, albeit with many people excluded from the class compromise. They had dreams of using that launch pad to achieve much more. Under Thatcherism they lost so much of what they had that they had little choice but to adopt neoliberalism as a means to just sustain themselves. Buy a council house, rely on rising prices to borrow more, rely on self-improvement, training and education, to get a ahead. Use debt to supplement wages. That strategy showed diminishing returns well before 2008, but after that it broke down dramatically. These angry boomers are the engine room of Britain’s slide to fascism.

    The meta is the gross mismanagement and decline of 150 years of rotten rule by an incompetent, decadent and unreformable establishment is now accelerating. The UK is in serious trouble. The British ruling elites resemble an over-crowded cage of rats with diminishing resources who are now turning on each other. The polarisation, the lack of hope, they engender is unbelievable. North Sea oil papered over the cracks, but that wealth was squandered on tax cuts, weapons and buying off the working class with bread and circuses whilst opening Britain up to corrupt oligarchs and international finance. The smiling ghost of Oswald Mosley stalks the print media, which is now dominated by Fascism.

    The thorough character assassination of Jeremy Corbyn by the Oxbridge liberal elites in connivance with the far right billionaire media, the Israel government and big finance shows how Britain's elites are now no longer capable of reform – they simply seek to deny, destroy and debunk any opposition to their scramble to retain their piece of the diminsihing pie.

    The only hope lies in an interesting statistic I read today. UK Labour enjoyed a 15 point lead among 18-24 year olds in 2010, by 2017 it was 54 per cent. Why? The clue might be that in the decade from 2007 to 2016, all new wealth went to over-45s (though unevenly), while incomes fell by around 10 per cent among those aged 16-34. This polarisation holds out some hope, because Corbynism has given young people in the UK hope. The youthfulness of Momentum is extraordinary. Youth culture in the UK has overwhelmingly identified with Corbyn's Labour project.

    The young are the future, the only question is how far the forces of fascism will go to stop them.

    • Blazer 2.1

      Fantastic!

      Post of the ..year!

    • Dean Reynolds 2.2

      Sanctuary, what a brilliant analysis of the UK today! Your intelligence & insight have sparked Gosman's right wing diatribe & exposed it for the facile nonsense that it is.

      • Gosman 2.2.1

        Do you mean the analysis that postulates Israel is influencing the UK election by making up allegations of antisemitism in UK Labour?

        • Psycho Milt 2.2.1.1

          The analysis that Israel's supporters in the UK are putting a lot of effort into getting people to equate support for the Palestinians with anti-semitism, yes. The Israeli government may or may not be involved, but that's a side issue.

    • Heather Grimwood 2.3

      I have pondered the almost total denigration of Corbyn by the British press and can but think that his logical, reasoned, well spoken approach showing a calm dignity must have caused fear on the right.

      I am putting my faith in the young whom I feel will use their votes to ensure survival.

      • Gosman 2.3.1

        If you want to know why people on the right hate Corbyn so much why don't you ask a right leaning person? If only you could find someone to ask….

        • McFlock 2.3.1.1

          … who could be relied upon to be truthful when they answer.

          • Incognito 2.3.1.1.1

            Someone who states that “views are reflective of the reality at this point in time” and that they are “just stating the truth of the matter” can be relied upon without question 😉

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 2.3.1.2

          Why bother, when we can simply listen to you ad nauseam, Gosman.

        • Dean Reynolds 2.3.1.3

          OK Gosman, you're right wing, so tell us why you hate Corban & try to be objective – none of your foam flecked hysteria

  3. weka 3

    FT's Poll of Polls, in %

    Cons 43

    Lab 33

    LD 13

    SNP 4

    Green 3

    Brexit 3

    … political scientists and election forecasters generally believe that a Conservative polling lead of around 6 per cent over Labour is the dividing line between a Tory majority and a hung parliament.

    https://www.ft.com/content/263615ca-d873-11e9-8f9b-77216ebe1f17

    I can't get my head around the LD vote. They're won't support the Cons but that vote will give the Cons another term.

    Is this in part a protest vote from third wayers who can't handle Corbyn's pull left?

    • Gosman 3.1

      Why can't you get your head around the Lib Dem vote? If I was in the UK right now I would vote for the Lib-Dems because I can't stand Johnson and I despise Corbyn and all he stands for. I would prefer the UK had another referendum on Brexit but if that comes with a Corbyn led government that would be worse than a Conservative Brexit.

      • Sanctuary 3.1.1

        When I talked about hopeless, angry and defeated boomers, this is exactly what I was talking about.

        An idiotic and splenetic bunch of Don Quixote types who would rather hate Corbyn than vote to lift children out of poverty or save the NHS. Get fucked.

        • Gosman 3.1.1.1

          Maybe they don't think Corbyn abnd his hard left mates WILL actually save the NHS or lift children out of poverty and will instead lead to the UK turning in to a version of Greece before the bailouts.

      • weka 3.1.2

        Lol Gosman, obviously I was referring to non-Tories, not Tories like yourself.

        • Gosman 3.1.2.1

          I just told you I wouldn't vote for the Conservatives if I was in the UK right now. When I lived there the two times I voted I voted for two different parties. I am exactly the person you are meaning.

  4. esoteric pineapples 4

    The problem for Labour is that rather than respecting the outcome of the Brexit referendum, it is proposing to hold another one.

    • weka 4.1

      Explain that one. More people would vote for Corbyn's left wing Labour if Labour supported Brexit?

      • Gosman 4.1.1

        The logic is the area of the country where Labour will lose this election (The Midlands and North of England) wouldn't abandon Labour if they supported Brexit. Of course the would bleed votes in the South however that might go to the Lib-Dems instead rather than the Conservatives. Ultimately Corbyn prevaricated on Brexit and as a result pleased neither side.

        • weka 4.1.1.1

          so the idea is that there's a solid core of people who would otherwise vote for a left wing Labour but won't this time because it might lead to a no brexit? This suggests a core of left wing brexiters. Is there research to support that such a group of voters exists? (enough to shift an election).

          • Gosman 4.1.1.1.1

            Why is the Labour party at risk of LOSING seats in the Midlands and the North of England Weka? Please explain the reasoning behind that.

            • weka 4.1.1.1.1.1

              I'm just asking for an explanation Gosman. Someone of your expertise on the UK political scene should be able to clarify.

              • Gosman

                It seems quite clear that there are really only two major reasons why Labour might be at risk of losing seats in traditional Labour supporting areas in the North of England and the Midlands.

                1. Dislike of Corbyn and his hard left policies.

                2. Desire to see Brexit completed and the belief that the Conservatives are the best party to do this.

                Do you happen to have another reason why Labour might be at risk in these areas?

                • weka

                  1. Dislike of Corbyn and his hard left policies.

                  Which left voters does that apply to? Where is their vote going?

                  2. Desire to see Brexit completed and the belief that the Conservatives are the best party to do this.

                  Again, who are the solid brexiters who normally vote Labour but won't this time?

          • Sanctuary 4.1.1.1.2

            IMHO, for the liberal establishment Labour's position on Brexit – which isn't that difficult to grasp – has been savagely attacked mainly as a fig leaf to preserve their liberal credentials whilst doing everything the can to destroy Corbyn and his project. Ditto for the "anti-semitism" row, a fantastical concoction of smears put together by a conspiracy of the Israeli government and it's corrupt friends in the UK establishment to bring down Corbyn, who poses a genuine threat to the veto Israel currently has on any sort of pro-Palestinian action from the major western powers.

          • Pierre 4.1.1.1.3

            There has always been working-class support for Brexit; people might not rally behind the criticism of the EU as a fundamentally neoliberal project, but they understand that austerity has hit communities hard, and when given a chance to express their discontent they vote accordingly. I'd be interested to see how Galloway does in West Brom, as he's running on a 'real Labour / left exit' platform.

            • Gosman 4.1.1.1.3.1

              What's the difference between what Galloway is running on and the position of Corbyn beyond Corbyn is neither for nor against Brexit (but everyone really knows he is for it)?

              • Pierre

                The difference is that Corbyn is subject to the democratic will of Labour Party members. Labour members voted to promise a second referendum as party policy, and Corbyn follows that policy regardless of his own personal opinion. Galloway meanwhile is accountable only to himself at this point, he can take whatever position he likes. At least I think the difference is clear.

            • mauī 4.1.1.1.3.2

              Ah George…wonderful, wonderful man… amazing human being.

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epPD4GYZa_8

    • Sanctuary 4.2

      The problem for Labour is they are desperately trying to hold onto to being a class based party when the entire media is intent on re-defining politics along culture war line, as in the USA. The purpose of course is to turn a substantial part of the working class against itself.

      • Gosman 4.2.1

        I was waiting for someone to blame the media

        • Sanctuary 4.2.1.1

          I assume (perhaps optimistically) you can read. I invite you to peruse the British press and draw your own conclusions.

          • Gosman 4.2.1.1.1

            I consume lots of UK media. It stretches across the political spectrum. If you want to find pro-Corbyn media there are lot's of it out there.

            • UncookedSelachimorpha 4.2.1.1.1.1

              But the overwhelming media view in the UK is biased against Corbyn. It makes a huge difference. Some examples:

              We set out to recognise and acknowledge the legitimate role of the press to critique and challenge the powers that be, which is often encapsulated by the metaphor of the watchdog. Our systematic content analysis of a representative sample of newspaper articles published in 8 national newspapers between 1 September and 1 November 2015, however, shows that the press reacted in a highly transgressive manner to the new leader of the opposition, hence our reference to the attackdog metaphor.

              Our analysis shows that Corbyn was thoroughly delegitimised as a political actor from the moment he became a prominent candidate and even more so after he was elected as party leader, with a strong mandate. This process of delegitimisation occurred in several ways: 1) through lack of or distortion of voice; 2) through ridicule, scorn and personal attacks; and 3) through association, mainly with terrorism.

              Our report found that 75% of press coverage misrepresents Jeremy Corbyn – we can't ignore media bias anymore

              The Media Is Biased Against Jeremy Corbyn – but Does That Even Matter in This Election?

              (note to self – don't waste time replying to Gosman..)

    • Molly 4.3

      There is a good transcript of one of Corbyn's speeches on the Labour website that outlines what it will do in regards to Brexit. Worth the read.

      Of particular relevance is Corbyn's quote:

      "People sometimes accuse me of trying to talk to both sides at once in the Brexit debate; to people who voted leave and remain. You know what? They’re right.

      Why would I only want to talk to half the country? I don’t want to live in half a country. Anybody seeking to become Prime Minister must talk to and listen to the whole country.

      Labour stands not just for the 52% or the 48%, but for the 99%. It’s Labour that’s determined to bring a divided country together. You can’t do that if your whole political strategy is to turn one side of the Brexit debate against the other.

      The Tories are offering an extreme and damaging form of Brexit, while the Liberal Democrats want to ignore the result of the 2016 referendum and revoke Article 50. The Brexit crisis needs to be resolved but it must be done democratically."

      And regarding Brexit policy:

      "The Tories have failed on Brexit for three years. A Labour government will get Brexit sorted within six months by giving you, the British people, the final say. And despite what some commentators want you to believe, Labour’s plan for Brexit is clear and simple.

      It’s time to take the decision out of the hands of politicians and trust the people to decide. It won’t be a rerun of 2016. This time the choice will be between leaving with a sensible deal or remaining in the European Union.

      That’s the policy. It really isn’t complicated.

      So an incoming Labour government will first secure a sensible deal. That will take no longer than three months because the deal will be based on terms we’ve already discussed with the EU, including a new customs union, a close single market relationship and guarantees of rights and protections.

      It’s a deal that will protect British manufacturing and respect the precious peace in Northern Ireland.

      And then we’ll put that deal to a public vote. So if you want to leave the EU without trashing our economy or selling out our NHS, you’ll be able to vote for it. If you want to remain in the EU, you’ll be able to vote for that.

      Either way, only a Labour government will put the final decision in your hands. Because this has involved the whole country from the start, it can’t now be left to politicians.

      To finally get this sorted and move forward, we need the people to sign on the dotted line. And we will immediately carry out your decision, so Britain can get beyond Brexit."

      • Gosman 4.3.1

        And yet people still aren't flocking to him in sufficient numbers. Why is that if his position on Brexit is so logical and reasonable?

        • Molly 4.3.1.1

          I have no idea, Gosman – and I know don't why you would think I would have insight into what lies in the hearts and minds of British voters. (Interesting that the words ‘logical’ and ‘reasonable’ came from you in regards to Corbyn’s Brexit policy.)

          Perhaps like you, they vote according to their own bias, rather than considered thinking and reality?

  5. Sanctuary 5

    PS – I think the most likely outcome is another hung parliament and the collapse of the Lib-dems as a political force forever as Jo Swinson – a yellow Tory/Orange book liberal who comes across as an annoying head prefect from an Enid Blighton novel – props up a Boris Johnson conservative government in exchange for a cabinet post (assuming she keeps her seat, I hear the squirrels of Scotland are mobilising in force against her).

    • Gosman 5.1

      The Lib-Dems would never support another Conservative led government UNLESS they committed to a further referendum on Brexit. Johnson won't do that as it will be one betrayal too far.

      • Sanctuary 5.1.1

        Swinson is an idiot, and the Lib-Dems is now home to an extraordinarily hubristic collection of centrists and chancers. Don’t under estimate their stupidity.

        • Gosman 5.1.1.1

          The raisson-d'etre for the Lib-Dems now is purely to promote membership of the EU. You are trying to argue they will abandon that for what exactly? Just because they want to prop up a Conservative government to avoid Corbyn? Really???

          • Sanctuary 5.1.1.1.1

            Dude, I don't want to be rude but I am going to be. You clearly do not follow British politics particularly closely and you offer nothing valuable. So shut up.

            • Gosman 5.1.1.1.1.1

              LOL! I am pretty confident my knowledge of UK politics is better than yours. I don't blame the fact Corbyn is not getting enough traction on Israeli (who have more pressing matters to worry about like the state of their own government).

          • Pierre 5.1.1.1.2

            Sanctuary is correct on this one, the Lib Dems haven't changed their tune, and they will happily prop up another Tory coalition just like that. Their councillors are already loyally supporting the Tories in local government up and down the country. If anything the experience of the last decade should have been a lesson not to trust the Lib Dems.

    • weka 5.2

      What would constitute a hung parliament? What would happen next?

      • Gosman 5.2.1

        What happened in 2017 is a hung parliament. Even if the Opposition managed to cobble together a small majority it would still be regarded as hung. The idea that Labour would be able to introduce it's radical socialist policies without an outright majority would be laughable.

        • Sanctuary 5.2.1.1

          "…The idea that Labour would be able to introduce it's radical socialist policies…"

          I would be fascinated to know what these radical policies are. Care to expand with examples?

          • Gosman 5.2.1.1.1

            Renationalisation of large parts of the British economy.

          • Gosman 5.2.1.1.2

            "Free" Broadband for everyone in the UK (If one policy highlighted Corbyn's fundamental issue with the UK electorate it is this one).

            • weka 5.2.1.1.2.1

              It's hardly communism.

              • Gosman

                I stated Socialist not Communist

                • weka

                  "radical socialist policies"

                  Free internet fits within capitalism quite easily.

                  • Gosman

                    Umm… no it doesn't. It is a ridiculous Socialist idea that broadband is some sort of Social good like Water that should be free to everyone. Capitalism would put a price on it that reflects the supply and demand for the service.

                    • weka

                      the internet now holds such an important place in society that it is a social and economic necessity.

                      Capitalism doesn't put a price on internet services, it leaves it up the to the free market. Consequently there are people that are disadvantaged from taking part in civil society. The other way to manage that would be to increase wages and benefits.

                      I guess your version of capitalism doesn't care about citizens. In social democracies like ours it's normal to care.

                      Good to hear you think water should always be free though.

                    • Gosman

                      Amazing that Corbyn cares so much but his support is so low.

                    • weka []

                      not that low, but not particularly surprising. 35 years of neoliberalism has taught a lot of people to be selfish.

                    • Gosman

                      Why didn't 34 years of State driven development prior to 1979 not lead to a society that was anti-Thatcherism then?

                    • weka []

                      because unlike neoliberalism/Thatcherism it wasn’t intentional social engineering?

                    • Gosman

                      Really??? I'm pretty sure the concept of the NHS has been well and truly ingrained in to the mainstream British psyche.

        • weka 5.2.1.2

          "What happened in 2017 is a hung parliament"

          Why was that result hung though? Because there were enough left wing parties to vote against the Cons on their own?

          • Pierre 5.2.1.2.1

            It was a hung parliament because there was no simple majority. The Tories had the authority to form a government in 2017 because they came out as the single largest party, technically won the most votes, and… because the British state favours the Tories.

            • weka 5.2.1.2.1.1

              By majority do you mean 50% of the vote?

              • Pierre

                50% of the seats in parliament

                • weka

                  ok, so a hung parliament doesn't mean much unless other parties can form a coalition to achieve 50% (seats).

                  Who has first crack at doing that? The party with the most seats?

                • weka

                  and in this case, the LDs are irrelevant (not willing for form govt with either L or C). So it comes down to L/SNP/G vs Cons/Brexit/DUP? Doesn't that make it closer election than is being predicted?

                  • Gosman

                    Ummm… why are the Lib-Dem's irrelevant? If they hold the balance of power neither UK Labour or the Conservatives will be able to get policies through that they disagree with.

                    • weka

                      Irrelevant to formation of government (assuming they've ruled out both L and C).

                    • Gosman

                      It is not irrelevant if the Lib-Dems and whatever other parties are in opposition have enough votes to stop any policies being implemented. You will just have a continuation of the problems the UK faced prior to the election.

                    • weka []

                      if the LDs won’t support Labour or the Cons to form govt, what role do they play in the formation of govt?

                    • Gosman

                      You are aware that unless a party leader can guarantee they will have support on confidence and supply matters it makes forming a government almost impossible. This is especially so under the fixed term parliaments act as the PM can't just dissolve Parliament whenever they want and try to increase his mandate. They are effectively hostage to the opposition in such circumstances.

                    • weka []

                      Yes I am aware of that Gosman. What I am asking is what role LDs might play in formation of govt at this election given they have said they won’t form govt with the Cons or Labour. I suggested they were irrelevant, you said they are relevant and I’m asking you how they are relevant. Do you think they will change their minds and support one of the parties?

                    • Gosman

                      They are relevant because unless the government can guarantee they have enough votes to get funding legislation passed they aren't going to be much of a government are they? If Corbyn forms a government with the SNP and Greens as some here suggest (and possibly even Plaid Cymr) but the DUP, Conservatives, and Lib Dems decide to vote against tax increases how will Corbyn be able to get the money to spend on all the additional things he want to spend money on?

                    • weka []

                      If Corbyn forms a government with the SNP and Greens next week, what role would the LDs play in that? Not later on specific legislation, but at the time of negotiations and formation of govt.

                    • weka []

                      it’s not a trick question, I’m trying to understand. I though the LDs said they wouldn’t form govt with Labour. So how would this work? C and S agreement with Labour?

  6. At the risk of repeating myself – Labour by a landslide (well, a moderate tidal swell anyway) – enough for them to form a government with co-operation with the SNP and the Greens.

    • Sanctuary 6.1

      The outcome depends on two things – the turnout of youth voters (if there is a youthquake, then Labour might sneak in) and the if Labour can hang onto in the North.

      Given the partisan nature of the British press, I don't know the state of play. I know momentum has mobilised a huge ground game for Labour and there was a huge surge in young people registering to vote. On the other hand, polling indicates the older white English boomers are even more determined to tun out and to try and deliver a no deal Brexit this time.

      My heart says a Labour win on the back of a big turnout of minorities and youth.

      • Gosman 6.1.1

        The UK press is incredibly diverse and vibrant. If you want to fund a major newspaper that broadly reflects your political leaning you can and the broadcast media is generally middle of the road. The BBC have a specific remit to try and ensure balance in reporting. I don't see on what basis you can claim the media is at fault for the failure of Corbyn to get more support than he has.

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 6.1.1.1

          More misleading stuff from Gosman – are they simply incredibly poorly informed?

          " The UK press is incredibly diverse and vibrant "

          In fact:

          New Report: Who Owns the UK Media in 2019?

          just three companies (News UK, Daily Mail Group and Reach) dominate 83% of the national newspaper market (up from 71% in 2015). When online readers are included, just five companies (News UK, Daily Mail Group, Reach, Guardian and Telegraph) dominate nearly 80% of the market, slightly up from our last report.

          and 5 billionaires own 80% of the UK media

          Just 5 men- including 2 brothers- own 80% of the UK media, new statistics show. The 5 men also own not only the newspapers but also 80% of the TV stations, press agencies, book companies and cinemas in the UK.

          • Gosman 6.1.1.1.1

            LOL! Ummm…. Name me a political view not represented in the mainstream newspapers in the UK. The Guardian and The Mirror are left wing. The Evening Standard and the Independent is middle of the road, The Times and Daily Telegraph are center Right. The Daily Mail and Daily Express are right wing. Which views are being denied a mainstream outlet?

            • KJT 6.1.1.1.1.1

              "Guardian is left wing".

              I wish.

              The organ for chardonnay socialists who want to clear their conscience, but don't make any changes, thanks.

        • Sanctuary 6.1.1.2

          "…The UK press is incredibly diverse and vibrant…"

          LOL Just two individuals – Rupert Murdoch and Lord Rothermere – control 52% of online and print national news publications in the UK.

          12% of the UK's population attended a private or grammar school and 1% of the UK population has attended Oxford or Cambridge.

          But five out six of the BBC's chief political reporters went to Oxford or Cambridge, and the one that didn't (Laura Kuenssberg) is also card carrying member of the British elite, and is a personal chum of Boris.

          68% of newspaper columnists went to a private or grammar school, 63% of the most influential news media figures and 49% of BBC executives. 44% of newspaper columnists have Oxbridge backgrounds, as do 36% of the most influential media figures and 31% of BBC executives.

          The UK media is dominated by the voices of the 1%.

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 6.1.1.3

          Sheesh. and then Gosman says " The BBC have a specific remit to try and ensure balance in reporting "

          Meanwhile on planet earth:

          University of London study

          We concluded that some BBC coverage does demonstrate bias and partiality against Corbyn in subtle modes where tone alters the meaning of the script and visuals and the BBC fared badly compared to other mainstream TV news.

          In its election coverage, the BBC has let down the people who believe in it

          The corporation, admired around the world, has been behaving in a way that favours the Tories

          • Gosman 6.1.1.3.1

            That's an opinion piece by some lefty. If you had bothered to watch the Andrew Marr interview with Boris Johnson he was challenged on all those points. Other than that what are you expecting the BBC to do?

            • Incognito 6.1.1.3.1.1

              Is this “an opinion piece by some lefty”?

              http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/18571/

              • Gosman

                Ummm…pretty much.

                Here's an extract by one of the author's of that study Dr Paul Lashmar on another one of his studies:

                https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/bitstream/2438/11222/1/FulltextThesis.pdf

                "Instead I use the critical-realist approach where data is gathered and analysed where possible, but analysis is also based on interpretation through experience. Within the critical realism tradition it is permitable to consider what one observes as reality providing one’s own subjectivity is clear set out. I recognise that my world-view was formed primarily within a particular journalism culture and includes intimations of my pluralist, left leaning, liberal and secularist opinions"

                • Incognito

                  Well, well, well. It seems “some lefty” now has a name and even an academic degree and states that he’s using the critical-realist approach to data collection and analysis. BTW, the article had two authors.

                  Thus, you decided to fob off UncookedSelachimorpha without even bother to read the link because of the author’s left leaning opinions [your bold]?

                  In other words, you only mention stuff that only confirms your own opinions and you refuse and ignore everything else? Because your “views are reflective of the reality at this point in time”? How would you know?

                  Using the critical-realist approach to your comments here I conclude that you are not interested in genuine debate but only in parroting Tory talking points and echoing RW sentiments that have no other underpinning than that they resonate with that flimsy membrane you deem to be your brain and makes these weird flatulating noises.

        • Cinny 6.1.1.4

          Gossy……. the majority of British tabloids are conservative, that's a fact. Unfortunately the perception of bias is no longer limited to the papers, it has bled into the broadcast sector, including the BBC.

          Bojo was asked whether truth mattered, during a recent BBC interview and the audience laughed at him. The BBC edited out the laughter replacing it by applause before airing.

          https://youtu.be/0yGCcGHX3j4

    • Gosman 6.2

      Care for a wager?

      • I'm not a betting man – that's just a mug's game.

        But my opinion is based on very scientific evidence – who I'd vote for if I was resident in the UK now. And I'm a boomer.

        Christ – another 5 years of Boris/Tories!! It doesn't bear thinking about.

    • Wayne 6.3

      Quite possible, at least the SNP part. The Greens will get hardly any seats. More likely the LD will be the other part of the government. Won’t be a landslide or anything like that but the combo might be enough to form a government.

      • weka 6.3.1

        I thought LDs has said they won't support a Labour govt.

        • Gosman 6.3.1.1

          With Corbyn as leader. If Labour got rid of him there may be a chance.

        • Wayne 6.3.1.2

          Yes, I am aware of Swinson’s statement. Actually I suppose she could either way.

          But I has assumed because of the LD view on Brexit, they would ultimately prefer Labour.

          • weka 6.3.1.2.1

            Do you think LDs might well support formation of govt then?

            • Wayne 6.3.1.2.1.1

              Yes, I do.

              If it comes to it, the LD’s will support the formation of a government. After all, some combination of parties has to be able to form a government. Otherwise there would be a new election.

              I think the decisive issue for the LD is Brexit (or rather stopping it). They will go for a referendum which means Labour.

              Part of the price of going with Labour will be stopping Corbyn’s full scale socialism. Obviously Labour will still be substantial reformers but not to the extent that Corbyn wants.

              The renewal of Trident will also be gone. Neither the SNP or LD want it, also the left part of Labour including Corbyn are against it. I imagine the UK will still be part of NATO. It is possible that if Trident goes then the conventional forces of the UK might actually increase, in particular some more naval ships (frigates) which will be good for Scottish and North East jobs.

              • weka

                thanks Wayne.

                Do you think LD saying no support for Labour was just electioneering, or that the position was overstated by others? Looking now it seems clearer that they would in fact support Labour.

                Are LD the Winston Peters of UK politics/

  7. Bill 7

    From a trusted poster on my facebook feed this morning (they reside in NZ)

    Apparently posting anything about Jeremy Corban is against Facebooks community standards. I have had three notifications just today about it and they were all that.

    People can make of that as they will. Like I say – the source is one I trust.

    That aside, I'll freely admit to a degree of anxiety around the demise of Momentum under the idiotic top down management style imposed by Jon Lansman after the last election. They seem to be AWOL this time around.

    In summary, I don't view this UK election as necessarily being a reflection of peoples wants and desires, but rather an indication of how successful pop media are at bending the public will to serve their own preferred agenda.

    By way of a throw away indicative example – when UK Labour were subjected to two hacking attempts a week or so back, there was "nothing to see" according to pop media. In contrast, a fair amount of focus coming off the back of the NHS document has been to suggest nefarious Russian interference. To hell with the authenticity of the document – that's secondary. Labour is Putin's project.

    You can see how that fits with the general thrust of pop media, yes? How it might stack on top of all the other negative pop narratives to suggest people with a more casual take on politics think twice before voting Labour?

    That said, 'no-one' bar red/blue tribalists pay much of any heed to pop media these days. So any influence pop media may have had in the past in much diminished these days.

    But the gaming of social media platforms to 'blank' the left (it's been happening on youtube for quite a while now) – that's a worry. That's influential.

    • Gosman 7.1

      Do you really think people aren't supporting Labour because they think they received some document about the NHS via a Russian hacking attempt?

    • Gosman 7.2

      And this idea that YouTube and Facebook are working against the Labour party is bordering on the paranoid.

      • Bill 7.2.1

        Do you write down a sentence with the spaces where the nouns should be left blank? And then do you dip into a 'bag of random' to determine what nouns you'll put in those blank spaces?

        Do you then have a second bag full of random assertions that you replace the original text around the blank spaces with?

        Reads like it.

        • Incognito 7.2.1.1

          Gosman types faster than he thinks. So far, 37 out of 91 comments under this post are his.

          Maybe time to put the handbrake on …

          • arkie 7.2.1.1.1

            Bold to assume there is any thought involved, especially when this 'thought' is sprayed so widely but spread so thin.

            • Incognito 7.2.1.1.1.1

              I was trying to be generous. Hill test coming soon to test the brakes. I hope Gosman’s tyres and shocks are up to it 😉

          • UncookedSelachimorpha 7.2.1.1.2

            And so much of what he says is simply fact-free nonsense.

            • Incognito 7.2.1.1.2.1

              Sadly, true and so many here get sucked in by his comments and wasting time replying without realising he’s taking them down the garden path into his rabbit hole of manipulative nonsense and pseudo-knowledgeable Gobbledygook.

          • Siobhan 7.2.1.1.3

            Thanks for that..I was about to do a count myself…tho to be fair…Gosman is one of the few to absolutely bloom on this site…far more thoughtful reasoned folk have been destroyed by the very same moderators who are more than happy to engage with Gosman.

            Some days, where it not for the Gosman, this site would be the most deserted of playgrounds..

            • Incognito 7.2.1.1.3.1

              I don’t like it when people let their pets shit in children’s playgrounds.

              I don’t follow the part about “the very same moderators” destroying “far more thoughtful reasoned folk”. I don’t assume you want to elaborate?

            • francesca 7.2.1.1.3.2

              I've had a moderator rushing out at me like an insane rat on crack.

              Doesn't do the site a lot of credibility.

              And like the wider world, positions have become incredibly polarised, not much space for discussion before the insults come rolling in , destroying any true debate

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 7.2.1.2

          Maybe it's a Bot! Reads like one.
          (sorry if this counts as ‘speculating as to a poster’s identity’)

          • Gosman 7.2.1.2.1

            Except my views are reflective of the reality at this point in time. Corbyn has not got enough support according to ALL the opinion polls to form a government on his own. He is also not close enough to form it with the help of the majority of the opposition parties. The indication is that the Labour party is in danger of losing ground in traditional Labour supporting areas in the North of England and Midlands. It may make up some gains elsewhere but it is unlikely to be enough. It would take a minor political miracle to turn it around. It is possible of course but Corbyn is not getting the cut through he was getting in 2017. What part of that analysis do you disagree with and why?

  8. pat 8

    can they do it?…we'll know in 4 days

  9. mosa 9

    Campaigners for second referendum urge voters to ‘hold their noses’ and back second choice to stop hard Brexit.

    I don't think it can be underestimated how much BREXIT plays in this election.

    Johnson's whole campaign is based around it while Corbyn has tried too keep the focus on the evil effects of neo liberal policies and austerity but cannot get traction for what needs too be done.

    Neither candidate for PM inspires or grabs the public's desire for strength and confidence.

    Another Tory led government will not address the deepening social damage of the ongoing suffocation of poverty and misery that engenders.

    Sadly unless there is a massive shift in the next few days this election will not deliver the watershed result that is needed too enact Labours priorities.

    2017 and the 2019 elections have not been about the human cost of Tory – Lib Dem austerity policies but the inability too divorce from the E.U.

    The possibility of another hung parliament is possible as many are feeling aggrieved enough too vote tactically on Thursday.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/election-poll-tory-majority-boris-johnson-brexit-remain-tactical-voting-a9236691.html

    • Gosman 9.1

      Why didn't Labour promise to respect the will of the referendum and get a better Brexit done ASAP then? Why this prevarication over the issue by promising to hold another referendum?

      • mosa 9.1.1

        It has been a massive divisive issue and has split both main parties.

        I agree the response and position has been far from perfect and i don't think for one minute anyone thought they would leave but they have.

      • Chris 9.1.2

        Because Labour knows the referendum was a sham and doesn't reflect the will of the…'referendum'.

      • Psycho Milt 9.1.3

        Why didn't Labour promise to respect the will of the referendum and get a better Brexit done ASAP then?

        Because a referendum isn't a stone tablet handed down by Almighty God to his prophet here on Earth. There's a big question mark over whether a majority of the UK voters want to leave the EU unconditionally, or whether the nature of the leave agreement affects their enthusiasm. That's one of the many problems with referenda.

        Why this prevarication over the issue by promising to hold another referendum?

        Because the question of whether a majority of voters want to leave the EU with these conditions attached is one that needs answering – and if it doesn't need answering, neither did the question in the original referendum.

  10. That_guy 10

    Basically what this is showing is that lies and dirty tricks work, because they disgust a small chunk of the population who were never going to vote for you anyway, but fool a lot of people in small subtle ways. It's a numbers game.

    Facebook not fact-checking politicians means you can say what you want. Even when you are caught out, it's pointless because the damage is done.

    This statement was verified as true by @factcheckUK!

  11. millsy 11

    No. UK Labour can't. This isn't an election. This is a massacre. Even Old Labour stalwart Dennis Skinner is forecast to lose his seat.

  12. greywarshark 12

    Al Jazeera doing a sympathetic piece about a little town once a dockyard, where everything seems downward.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/hard-times-uk-town-struggle-age-austerity-191205150316762.html
    by David Child 8/12/2019

    Almost 10 years on from the beginnings of austerity, Chatham and the rest of the UK is readying to have its say in a general election – its fourth this decade.

    But the anger and frustration felt by Maple and others in the town over the policy is at risk of being drowned out.

    Despite pledges from the Conservative Party that "austerity is over" and promises from the Labour Party to radically shake up the UK economy, as polling day nears, Brexit has once more cannibalised almost every other talking point in the national political conversation.

    The noise surrounding the UK's long-running drama over its bid to depart the European Union is hard to break through, says Maple, whose bid to unseat incumbent Conservative Member of Parliament Tracey Crouch is anticipated to be a bellwether for which way the election will go.

    I think that the UK people are numb and Brexit is the only conversation, whoever promises better support for the NHS will carry the day possibly.

  13. pat 14

    "As British voters cast their ballots on December 12 they will be doing so in the most important election since 1979, but this is not because the ramifications of a possible Brexit have such profound consequences. Rather, it is because this is possibly the last chance to stop the project that started with Margaret Thatcher’s election in 1979 and set the UK on its current course of dismantling the last pieces of welfarism and any remnants of the post-war consensus that still exist."

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/12/10/940792/the-most-important-uk-election-since-1979

  14. Sanctuary 15

    Ah, the unbiased BBC, part of Gosman's "vibrant" media…

    Laura Kuenssberg (chief political reporter for the BBC and a total blue blood) this morning uncritically tweeted as fact a Tory accusation that a Labour activist "punched" a Tory party adviser outside Leeds hospital.

    She (much) later tweeted again, saying it looked like the adviser merely brushed past the arm of a protesting activist.

    Meanwhile, the fake news that a Labour activist punched a Tory advisor is being blared as the main headline from every right wing morning paper in the UK.

    To sum up – three days out from a general election the chief political reporter of the BBC, who happens to be a personal friend of Boris Johnson, tweeted Tory propaganda – a damaging false accusation against Labour that was a lie – that was then used to lead the morning right wing papers.

    You couldn't make this shit up.

    Kuenssberg is an arrogant bitch, so she'll refuse to apologise and do her usual spiel about being a victim. Oh and continue to collect her huge salary.

    • Gosman 15.1

      Ummm…. Tweets from BBC reporters are not the same as a usual broadcast. I challenge you to watch the Andrew Marr show or an Andrew Neil interview and then tell me the BBC is bias.

    • Gosman 15.2

      As for the story being the main headline it is not mentioned anywhere on the BBC website front page that I can see

      https://www.bbc.com/news/uk

    • Gosman 15.3

      The Daily Mail (no pro-Labour newspaper i am sure you will agree) has leadwith the story but has pointed out that THERE WAS NO PUNCH UP.

      https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7773113/Labour-activist-Matt-Hancocks-adviser-Leeds-hospital.html

      "However, a video of the incident then emerged which showed Mr Njoku-Goodwin had been accidentally struck by the protestor's hand as the latter pointed and both men were looking in different directions. "

      Noone is deliberately making up stuff here. It seems like a fast developing story was circulated without first verifying the facts. That happens on both sides of the political spectrum.

  15. Sanctuary 16

    "… It seems like a fast developing story was circulated without first verifying the facts…"

    A ridiculous comment letting off clear pro-Tory bias – akin to saying Tomás de Torquemada was often at the scene of tragic fires.

    • Gosman 16.1

      The British have a Broadcasting standards authority. If there is a massive concern then people can raise it. I don't see the leadership of the UK Labour party complaining though.

      Also why is this any different to an ITV reporter shoving a picture of a kid in an emergency waiting room demanding Boris Johnson look at it? That to me was an example of frankly ridiculous and extremely biased reporting.

      • The Al1en 16.1.1

        The matter of the tory press is a herring, a blue herring if you will, and one that is an easy scapegoat to avoid the fact the UK labour party are somewhat unelectable in it's current guise.

        First you have to accept the influence of the papers is steadily declining with circulation consistently falling.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_newspapers_in_the_United_Kingdom_by_circulation

        Then you have to accept those who still read the dailies are obviously quite free to disseminate the news and vote as they choose outside of an editorial position.

        Then finally you'll realise that like in NZ, despite an apparent very right leaning media, given the correct leadership, it's quite possible to get a labour led government.

  16. James 17

    Can labour win ? Of course.
    Can labour win with Jeremy Corbyn? not a chance.

    ive said from the outset he is unelectable and he has only gotten worse.

    boris will win a majority and given a clear mandate to deliver brexit.

    • Gosman 17.1

      Yes, many leftists can't accept that Corbyn is not well liked by many, many people who might be tempted to vote for Labour if he was not the leader. He represents the sort of sanctimonious double standards of some people on the left which drives some people barmy.

    • Incognito 17.2

      … and they lived happily ever after.

      The End.

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    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
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