labour

New Labour MPs first speeches

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 1:01 pm, February 14th, 2012 - 9 comments

The four new Labour MPs make their first (“maiden”) speeches today in Parliament, starting at 5pm. I’d expect to hear some thoughtful and moving speeches.

ImperatorFish: Shock As Labour Discovers David Farrar Is Not The PM

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 10:07 am, February 2nd, 2012 - 12 comments

Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here

Labour Party MPs are said to be red-faced, after discovering that prominent blogger David Farrar is not the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

In the frame

Written By: IrishBill - Date published: 10:25 am, January 25th, 2012 - 84 comments

Labour’s contrition is starting to look like weakness.

Rather than reinforcing their opponents’ framing of issues they need to articulate their own progressive values with authority.

If they fail to do this the momentum gained by their new leader will be lost.

1951 it ain’t, for now

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 8:38 am, January 16th, 2012 - 120 comments

Some have compared the Port of Auckland dispute to the 1890 waterfront dispute, 1913 general strike, and 1951 lockout. They want Labour and the Greens to get involved. Actually, this is no 1951 redux. The POA fight is just about one company trying to undercut another. The net effect on New Zealand is zero. The last thing the workers need is Labour creating an excuse for National to attack them.

Cunliffe, Parker swap roles

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 2:44 pm, December 19th, 2011 - 111 comments

The new Labour line-up is announced. Parker Finance, Ardern Social Development, Cunliffe Economic Development (plus Assoc Finance) round out the top five.

Thank you Phil, Annette

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:47 am, December 15th, 2011 - 43 comments

Now that Labour’s new leaders are settling in, I think we should all take a moment to thank the outgoing leaders, Phil Goff and Annette King.

Auckland’s election result was not so bad

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:55 pm, December 14th, 2011 - 50 comments

micky savage writes about Labour’s results in Auckland. There were some stunning results, particularly in South Auckland where Labour’s share of the vote increased by 10.2% in Mangere, 7.3% in Manukau East and 5.2% in Manurewa.  And in Phil Goff’s Mount Roskill it increased by 1%.  These were very good results in an election where the tide was going out.

Countering the Tories’ bait & switch

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 9:00 am, December 14th, 2011 - 89 comments

Congratulations David Shearer, you’re leader of the Left now, and the prime target for the Right’s smear machine. The Right’s strategy is obvious: bait and switch. Having proclaimed Shearer’s virtues to high heaven, they (and their useful idiots) will now say ‘who is this man?’, try to frame unreasonable expectations, and try to beat up leadership rumours.

Selections I have known

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:18 pm, December 13th, 2011 - 38 comments

I’ve now seen David Shearer in three Labour selection contests – I was on the panel in Waitakere in 2002 and Mt Albert in 2009, and I was in Wesley Church last Wednesday in Wellington. He’s won two out of three, and been most impressive every time. Had I been a caucus member today, he would have had my vote. This is why.

Good luck, David

Written By: Zetetic - Date published: 8:27 am, December 13th, 2011 - 31 comments

To Cunliffe and Shearer, good luck. To the 34 people choosing the next Labour leader, remember your task is to choose the person who can represent a million+ centre and left voters. The man to take the centre-left to victory in 2014. Don’t you dare let petty personal issues cloud your judgement. We, whom you are privileged to represent, deserve better.

Nanaia Mahuta

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 8:18 pm, December 12th, 2011 - 21 comments

I believe that a strong platform of investment in education, skills and training makes all the difference for many hard working families.

We need to be relevant to aspirations in the provinces, this means that we need to support our provincial candidates more effectively so that they are not having to fight an election on a single issue and not without the resources and support of the party.

2c on the leadership

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:02 am, December 12th, 2011 - 116 comments

In the end it comes down to two questions.  Are the public looking for a good bloke, or are they looking for a compelling politician?  Which of the two can unite, motivate, and lead, the caucus and the wider party?

Auckland candidates meeting moved

Written By: lprent - Date published: 3:57 pm, December 9th, 2011 - 25 comments

Due to the huge amount of interest in Sunday’s meet the leadership candidates meeting the venue has changed to a larger venue.

I can’t say that I am surprised. There have been more inches written about these meetings than any political meeting that I can remember since Orewa I, especially in the blogs.

Grant Robertson

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 2:23 pm, December 8th, 2011 - 80 comments

In 1997 after six years fighting for fair access to tertiary education through the student movement I joined the Labour Party. I didn’t join to become leader or deputy leader or even to become an MP. I joined because I believed then, and I believe now in the values of social justice, fairness and equality that are the foundation of our party.

Primary importance

Written By: Zetetic - Date published: 7:41 am, December 5th, 2011 - 43 comments

Labour’s leadership primary was a great idea. Labour has an open, honest, and respectful debate about itself.  Candidates tested in public. Can stumble without damaging the party like a failed leader does. Labour frames the political news with enthralling debates. If there was no primary, Parker would be leader now and NZ would be reaching for the remote.