political parties

Housing: the options, the new left narrative?

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:07 am, September 13th, 2013 - 75 comments

The response to Metiria Turei’s sttements about affordable housing on The Vote, raises questions about political narratives are told to the general electorate? The Greens, Mana and Cunliffe have stressed their “vision“. How to tell it so it reaches the hearts of New Zealanders?

Axe the Copper Tax

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 12:38 pm, September 12th, 2013 - 39 comments

A coalition of organisations as diverse as InternetNZ, TUANZ, a number of corporates, Unite Union and even Kiwiblog are starting a campaign to oppose Government plans to stop the cost of copper broadband connections to retail users being reduced to the fair price determined by the Commerce Commission so that Chorus can recover unbudgeted costs on the fibre rollout.

My votes

Written By: lprent - Date published: 9:22 am, September 12th, 2013 - 100 comments

I voted for Cunliffe, Robertson, and Jones in that order. My reasons are in this post. It is unnecessary for people to speculate on additional motivations.

But if any MP or jonolist wants to try to run a politically based smear on me like they did on Jenny Michie, Mike Williams, and others then I’m perfectly happy to tear them a new rectum through their political credibility over the next decade.

This week’s Jonolist award goes to….

Written By: karol - Date published: 8:35 am, September 12th, 2013 - 86 comments

Jonolist award to Patrick Gower for slanted reporting of a non-poll result, continuing his anti-Cunliffe lines. Special mention to 3 News report on The Vote bovver boys, against affordable housing for those in need, forcing a “back-down” from Turei on lowering house prices. Need better MSM.

Lame-duck PM?

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 7:08 am, September 12th, 2013 - 88 comments

I was discussing with some friendly folk and they were saying how much the Labour leadership contest is making Key look like a lame duck PM.

All the media is about appointing his successor.

Reviewing the media coverage of the leadership race

Written By: Michael Valley - Date published: 9:20 am, September 11th, 2013 - 67 comments

The Labour leadership race has been remarkably well-behaved and it has led to a larger party that is pledged to unite behind its first democratically-elected leader… much to the chagrin of many in the press gallery. Where’s the bloodbath that they promised themselves? Where’s the deepening disunity? They’ve tried to talk it up, they’ve tried to gonzo it. It hasn’t happened.

Cunliffe shows leadership steel

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 9:32 pm, September 10th, 2013 - 352 comments

David Cunliffe faced his first leadership challenge today and came through it with flying colours. He set a high standard, and when that standard was tested he lived up to it. That’s leadership. It’s tough on our Jen, but I’m sure she agrees it was the right thing to do. Contrast that with John ‘Higher Standards’ Key’s protection of Bill ‘Double Dipton’ English.

Labour Leadership Contest – the final meeting will be streamed

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 3:44 pm, September 10th, 2013 - 24 comments

The final leadership meeting is scheduled for Christchurch this evening. The tour has been an outstanding success for the party and in the interests of the party what has been achieved needs to be consolidated and built on. And tune in to www.3news.co.nz at 7:45 pm for live streaming of the speeches.

Colin James on the asset sales referendum & Nats’ economic record

Written By: James Henderson - Date published: 10:25 am, September 10th, 2013 - 17 comments

Colin James takes on Key over the asset sales referendum, savaging the economic argument for sales. Then he turns to National’s other big financial markets call – suspending contributions to the Cullen Fund James discovers its cost us a lot of money. What James doesn’t recognise is that asset sales and suspending the Cullen Fund payments were never about what’s best for NZ.

Do the media not understand preferential voting?

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 11:24 pm, September 9th, 2013 - 27 comments

I’ve cast my vote. It was as simple as 1, 2, 3, <submit>. If my first choice doesn’t get it, I’m very hopeful that my 2nd preference will. It’s my vote, not media pundits that will count. So why do pundits keep suggesting that Shane Jones will get to decide whether David or Grant will be the next leader?

6 for Christchurch East

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 1:18 pm, September 9th, 2013 - 12 comments

Labour yesterday announced the 6 candidates standing for selection to be the Christchurch East candidate in the impending by-election. All are locals, and there’s no Clayton Cosgrove despite early rumour-mongering. It looks a talented list.

The bankster memorandum

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:41 am, September 9th, 2013 - 160 comments

John Key honed his skills as a speculative banker. As PM, this casino capitalist has undermined democracy, & promoted international corporate interests, while beneficiaries & workers are brutalised, inequalities enhanced and NZ’s economy & sovereignty damaged. Does one Labour leader contender have his ~~number~~ measure?

Labour Leadership Campaign – Blackball Meeting

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:52 am, September 9th, 2013 - 58 comments

Day ten of the Labour Leadership Campaign TOur and the parties are off to Blackball on the West Coast, the spiritual birth place of the Labour Party.

Does Shane Jones understand preferential voting?

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 10:05 pm, September 7th, 2013 - 81 comments

A short explanation for Shane Jones on why trying to game the system in preferential voting isn’t a good idea.

Grant Robertson

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 11:30 am, September 7th, 2013 - 112 comments

In accordance with our general rules about candidates posting, Grant Robertson has sent in a guest post. He may be available to answer some questions on Sunday as Saturday is busy for all candidates.

The post will be fully moderated.

Shane Jones, the other contender for the historic Labour leadership primary is welcome to send in a similar post with the same rules.

Labour Leadership Campaign – Weekend Edition

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:34 am, September 7th, 2013 - 206 comments

Days 7 and 8 of the Labour Leadership Campaign tours and the candidates are approaching the final straight. This weekend there will be Labour Leadership meetings in Nelson, Wellington and Dunedin. And TV3’s poll results on the leadership will no doubt attract intense attention.

Cunliffe passes my campaign litmus test

Written By: Jenny Michie - Date published: 8:14 pm, September 6th, 2013 - 83 comments

I’ve just spent the last week on the road with David Cunliffe and his wife Karen. Campaigns are a handy litmus test to see people as they really are when under pressure and performing to grueling schedules. As a general rule I’m prepared to like most people but as friends who know me well will […]

Friday Funny

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:25 pm, September 6th, 2013 - 6 comments

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It’s about jobs … and social security?

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:34 am, September 6th, 2013 - 168 comments

Cunliffe & Robertson stress the need to improve employment laws, jobs, wages, the economy, workers’ rights. Cunliffe invokes Savage-like social security & the need to end the Nats beneficiary bashing. Wider community pressure is needed for there to be real political change away from the destructive neoliberal scam.

On the affiliate vote

Written By: IrishBill - Date published: 12:12 pm, September 5th, 2013 - 53 comments

There’s been some recent speculation on the affiliate vote. Some of it’s trolling some of it’s just plain misinformed.

That said, it’s an interesting issue, and one that I’ve a few thoughts on myself.

Labour Leadership Campaign – days six and seven

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:42 am, September 5th, 2013 - 32 comments

Day six of the Labour leadership marathon and the parties are off to Hamilton. David Cunliffe and Grant Robertson have released campaign videos and a virtual meeting is being scheduled. And a day off tomorrow which I am sure the parties will be pleased about.

David Cunliffe

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 11:04 am, September 4th, 2013 - 267 comments

In accordance with our general rules about candidates posting, David Cunliffe has sent in a guest post. He will be available to answer some questions. The post will be fully moderated.

Other candidates for the historic Labour leadership primary are welcome to send similar posts with the same rules.

Labour leadership campaign – day five

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:54 am, September 4th, 2013 - 27 comments

Day five of the leadership campaign and the contenders meet tonight in Tauranga.

The Jones surpremacy

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 8:33 am, September 4th, 2013 - 58 comments

The poor gallery journos. They’ve got to turnout copy each and every day on the Labour leadership race but, well, not that much actually happens. The contenders have laid out their pitches and, now, they’re going around repeating it to members. So, there’s a lot of story invention. The latest is the idea of Jones winning.

21st Century Leadership Election

Written By: Ben Clark - Date published: 1:43 pm, September 3rd, 2013 - 12 comments

As part of the Labour Leadership Election there is to be a ‘virtual hustings’ – an online forum for Q&A organised by Labour. Scoop have agreed to facilitate, and are now harvesting the questions.

Labour leadership campaign – day four

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:16 am, September 3rd, 2013 - 72 comments

Day four of the Labour Leadership campaign and the parties are heading to the Hawkes Bay. The meetings so far have been positive, happy affairs and the candidates have been on their best behaviour. May this unity continue.

Labour Leadership Campaign – day three

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:22 am, September 2nd, 2013 - 159 comments

Day three of the Labour Leaders campaign tour of the country and tonight the contenders meet in Whangarei.

Labour leadership campaign – day two

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:57 am, September 1st, 2013 - 235 comments

Today is day two of the travelling roadshow that is the Labour Leadership contest. Two meetings are planned in Auckland.

Labour leadership candidates meetings this weekend

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 3:41 pm, August 30th, 2013 - 251 comments

The first three Labour Leadership candidates meetings are being held this weekend. Details follow.

‘Mind the Gap” – the way forward

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:06 am, August 30th, 2013 - 77 comments

TV3’s Mind the Gap documentary (Bryan Bruce) is very important because it put before the general population the damaging impact of income inequality in a clear and and straightforward manner. The solutions? Ideas from academics, journalists, campaigners & opposition politicians/parties.