political parties

Why I will party vote for the Greens

Written By: lprent - Date published: 2:24 pm, November 26th, 2012 - 169 comments

I’m tired of watching the Labour caucus screwing up the left’s chances of winning the treasury benches. I don’t really trust them to be competent to implement any new ideas if they control parliament. And most of their recent ideas are just warmed over ideas from the Greens. The caucus stupidity over the last week has convinced me to eliminate the middle-man and leave the Labour whips to enjoy their busted trophy.

The Auckland property market

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:29 am, November 26th, 2012 - 195 comments

The Auckland property market is back through the roof again, as well covered in The Herald this weekend. Labour’s solution is to build more houses. National’s “solution” is to complain about Labour’s solution.

Shearer Says

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:45 am, November 24th, 2012 - 131 comments

David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter, this week on Labour’s Conference, and leadership.

We’re happy to post similar newsletters from other opposition leaders – our email is on our contact page.

A stronger mandate for the Labour leader?

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 9:25 am, November 24th, 2012 - 199 comments

A Labour Party member writes, praising Labour for the new democratic reforms, and calling for David Shearer to submit his leadership to the new Party selection process: “David Shearer, you need a mandate from this new organisation, not a prop-up from the shards of the old one. Give us this chance to really unite behind you, or your successor, and give you the backing you surely will have earned”.

Poverty Watch 13

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:28 am, November 24th, 2012 - 24 comments

Welcome to Poverty Watch, a weekly update on National’s lack of response to the urgent and growing issue of poverty in NZ. This week, while National sits on its hands, Labour set out a policy that addresses poverty, housing and health…

NRT: More dictatorship from Brownlee

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:06 am, November 23rd, 2012 - 11 comments

No Right Turn on the Nats’ contemplating yet another way to trample on democracy in Christchurch.

Democracy is not the problem

Written By: James Henderson - Date published: 8:50 am, November 23rd, 2012 - 47 comments

During the Labour conference, Armstrong patronisingly wrote “delegates were so blinded and so intoxicated by the prospect of securing a say in the election of future leaders that they did not think through the consequences”. Old Tories hate democracy. But it’s disappointing that Garner made the same mistakes. Democracy doesn’t weaken, it strengthens – ask the Greens.

A party finds its voice

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:01 am, November 23rd, 2012 - 77 comments

After Labour’s Conference a lot of media attention has focused on the constitutional changes relating to leadership. But other changes were even more important. Members will develop policy, and the process has become much more effective and more open. The policy platform will be binding on MPs – and is the package that will be taken to the electorate.

Gender, politics & NZ LP conference 2012

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:38 am, November 22nd, 2012 - 140 comments

The Labour Party are giving serious attention to the unacceptable gender inequalities in MP numbers and in pay. The Greens are leading in tackling the underlying masculine framework of politics and employment, and, along with Mana, unpaid work.

A good time to join Labour

Written By: IrishBill - Date published: 8:05 am, November 22nd, 2012 - 185 comments

Well there’s not been so much focus on the Labour Party for a long time so I figure now’s the time to point out that, thanks to rule changes (and not just the contentious ones) holding a Labour Party membership has never meant so much in terms of having a say in where the party (and hopefully, after 2014, the country) goes.

KiwiBuild roundup

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:41 am, November 22nd, 2012 - 144 comments

Media reaction to KiwiBuild has been largely positive, the policy is described as “bold”, “brave”, and (just as important!) – “do able”. I’m sticking with my first reaction, this is a historic policy.

After the firefight

Written By: QoT - Date published: 7:30 pm, November 21st, 2012 - 128 comments

The results are in, the dust is settling – but where to now for Labour when the cries for “unity” seem to be more about making one side STFU?

In other news: the failings of Key’s government

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:57 am, November 21st, 2012 - 20 comments

John Key’s crony-capitalist, neoliberal government is failing NZ on the environment, affordable housing, and a living wage. Mana and the Greens are leading the way on affordable housing and anti-poverty campaigns. The Greens still lead the way on pressing environmental issues.

KiwiBuild vs. what?

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 10:04 am, November 21st, 2012 - 50 comments

KiwiBuild is an excellent policy that would make a real difference to housing, jobs, and the economy in NZ. John Key’s critique had all the credibility you’d expect from the man whose major economic policy was a cycleway.

Winners and losers

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 8:04 am, November 21st, 2012 - 156 comments

So, who won and who lost?

Leadership meeting – the outcome

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 5:01 pm, November 20th, 2012 - 473 comments

Shearer’s announcement is streaming live on 3 News at 5pm. Shearer has unanimous endorsement as leader. Cunliffe demoted, portfolios removed.

Do Not Press!

Written By: Bill - Date published: 10:39 am, November 20th, 2012 - 51 comments

Funny thing about winnning the war is that it can take a bit of time to sink in.

Shitting on the shoulders of giants

Written By: Zetetic - Date published: 9:04 am, November 20th, 2012 - 85 comments

Those who control Labour at any given time are on the shoulders of giants. For the 4 years, Labour has been controlled by a clique that led Labour to its worst defeat. A year later, with their second choice frontman as leader, they’re still in charge and Labour’s still below its 2008 result, on track for another defeat. The membership voted no confidence in the old guard on Saturday.

On Loyalty

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 7:04 am, November 20th, 2012 - 120 comments

The ABC club would have us believe that David Cunliffe has ‘openly undermined’ both David Shearer’s leadership and Phil Goff’s before him.

These attempts to rewrite history are amusing but factually inaccurate. We all know who undermined Phil Goff’s leadership and it wasn’t David Cunliffe.

Leadership and unity

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:03 am, November 20th, 2012 - 152 comments

There is a Labour caucus meeting later today where, it is widely reported, Cunliffe is going to be demoted. I understand the temptation for Shearer. When challenged on his leadership he wants to portray the strong leader. But there is a better way. What we need now is reconciliation.

An apology to David Cunliffe

Written By: QoT - Date published: 6:00 pm, November 19th, 2012 - 121 comments

I’m sorry, David Cunliffe, for the part I have played in your downfall. Wait a minute, what?

Cunliffe Has Overplayed His Hand

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 1:52 pm, November 19th, 2012 - 100 comments

At the end of this weekend’s Labour Annual Conference, delegates were happy. Speaking as a delegate, we had made the first and most important changes to the party in its history. But every night, after we got home and turned on the TV or visited a news website (or even some of the blogs), we didn’t see those stories we felt proud about. We saw Patrick Gower and Brook Sabin and Jessica Mutch sticking the camera in David Cunliffe’s face

Shearer or Labour?

Written By: Bill - Date published: 12:58 pm, November 19th, 2012 - 247 comments

Between writing this post and submitting it I see rumours are flying like demented monkeys. So perhaps this post is a timely call to sort shit out democratically. Now. And once and for all.

War and peace

Written By: James Henderson - Date published: 8:05 am, November 19th, 2012 - 93 comments

Talk of a Labour leadership vote to be held this Tuesday blossomed and then faded on Sunday. Here’s what went down. The Mallard-led old guard thought they had found a procedural trick to embarrass Cunliffe. They could have an immediate caucus-only vote under the old rules, which would require 60% opposition to Shearer to succeed. But such a cynical attempt to disenfranchise the membership would have backfired

Reaction on the end of conference

Written By: lprent - Date published: 11:52 pm, November 18th, 2012 - 40 comments

It was a good productive conference for Labour. The best reaction about David Shearer’s speech and the rank and files reactions to the conference that I observed was probably from Robert Winter, so I have quoted it here. Thanks to the NZLP’s council for letting me attend, and thanks to the working journalists for tolerating me.

Some facts for today

Written By: Ben Clark - Date published: 11:42 pm, November 18th, 2012 - 27 comments

The Labour Conference was not ‘acrimonious’. The Party was not ‘split’. A good time was had. Shearer’s speech was fantastic. The Party was rejuvenated. The February vote can’t be brought forward. Labour showed great progressive values. The media showed great beat-up skills.

3 out of 3

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:24 pm, November 18th, 2012 - 39 comments

First Gillard, then Miliband, now Shearer – three Labour leaders who have completely turned things round with one speech. The result for Shearer – an energised Labour Party ready to work for victory in 2014, and plenty for kiwis to talk about over the Christmas break.

The Speech: Active Government

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 1:16 pm, November 18th, 2012 - 27 comments

David Shearer’s speech to conference was everything that it needed to be – and more. The headlines will be about KiwiBuild, as they should be, it’s a stunning policy. But just as important for the future of the country is the strong commitment to active government.

KiwiBuild

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 1:13 pm, November 18th, 2012 - 216 comments

100,000 new entry level homes. The biggest public building programme in over fifty years. Hope for young families and households. A massive boost to jobs and the economy.

This is a historic policy.

Shearer makes first move

Written By: IrishBill - Date published: 12:32 pm, November 18th, 2012 - 149 comments

Vernon Small is reporting David Shearer is planning to bring the leadership vote forward to as soon as next week and it looks like their plan is to get it out of the way under the old rules.