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Shearer to put it to the vote

Written By: - Date published: 10:49 am, January 19th, 2013 - 71 comments

Word around the traps is that David Shearer is going to use his state of the nation speech next weekend to announce that he will put his leadership to full membership vote in February. If it’s true, and it’s a big if, it’s a ballsy but smart move politically and a welcome sign that Labour’s leadership is embracing democracy.

Being there

Written By: - Date published: 9:47 am, January 19th, 2013 - 35 comments

Johnny’s million dollar treat for his wife at your expense has turned into a bit of a farce. The delayed flight, the weird fainting (not jet lag, not overwork), and now they won’t get to the pole because of snow. The justification for the Keys’ South Pole trip was to learn about its science projects. Next time, may I suggest this?

Charter Schools: A failed idea

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, January 17th, 2013 - 36 comments

Submissions for the Education Amendment Bill 2012 (includes Charter Schools) close on 24 January.  The PPTA reminds us that Charter Schools are a failed idea.  Even Treasury documents show they are a bad idea.

Johny on ice

Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, January 14th, 2013 - 55 comments

After four weeks holiday in Hawaii, John Key will briefly land in New Zealand this week before popping off on a junket to Antarctica. Now, you won’t hear a lot about this in the media – because half the press gallery is going with him and they’re just excited to go to Antarctica – but there’s all kinds of buzz coming out of the public service about how and why Key set up this trip.

Deja vu all over again: Labour in 2014 edition

Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, January 13th, 2013 - 104 comments

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again here:  a Labour victory in 2014 isn’t necessarily better than a National victory in 2014.

Missing the point: Minister of Tourism fail

Written By: - Date published: 8:10 am, January 13th, 2013 - 102 comments

Michael Field on Stuff, responds to a question he attributes to “Labour Party blog, The Standard” about our Minister of Tourism spending most of his holidays in Hawaii  and fails to answer the question he cites. Field diverts to past PMs, ignores all Clark’s NZ holidays, and champions “Kiwi” Muldoon.

State housing vs home ownership

Written By: - Date published: 9:45 am, January 11th, 2013 - 160 comments

Labour’s 2012 Kiwibuild policy has focused on building homes for first time buyers.  Now we are told Labour’s 2011 policy pledging to increase the state housing stock still stands.  This raises many questions: including do-ability and the Labour leadership’s continuing (neoliberal) focus.

Labour’s popular housing policy

Written By: - Date published: 3:40 pm, January 10th, 2013 - 122 comments

I’m delighted to see that over 70% of respondents to a recent Herald poll, published today, think Labour’s 100,000 houses plan is “a winner for Labour”. The plan was announced by David Shearer at Labour’s November conference. I’d also like to thank Olwyn for asking some questions about Labour’s policy on housing in response to Zetetic’s post – they deserve an answer.

David Shearer isn’t Jesus? No sh*t, Sherlock

Written By: - Date published: 6:37 pm, January 9th, 2013 - 100 comments

I know I criticise David Shearer a lot, but if I sound bitter it’s just because I totally thought he would turn out to be Jesus.

Imperatorfish: The post I never posted

Written By: - Date published: 12:01 pm, January 9th, 2013 - 26 comments

… And even if I was wrong on that point, I went on to write, David Shearer was still not the best man for the job, because he had failed to demonstrate an ability to walk on water or bring the dead back to life. But I didn’t push the “publish” button, because I came up with an even better idea for a post…

Why the February vote could be very bad for Labour

Written By: - Date published: 6:55 pm, January 7th, 2013 - 300 comments

Going on previous form, Camp Shearer seem to think a successful caucus vote in February will silence all criticism of his parliamentary leadership of the Labour Party.  Boy, are you all wrong.

Will the real David Shearer please stand up?

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, December 28th, 2012 - 104 comments

Many want Shearer to break with neoliberalism, clearly state his politics and a new political direction.   He became leader with a compelling, but worryingly selective, back-story.  Party members want democratic participation. What of consensus-building, coercion, public services, social security, TPP, PPPs, state assets, sustainability?

Minister for Oversea Holidays

Written By: - Date published: 1:49 pm, December 23rd, 2012 - 53 comments

Getting away this summer? Or having a ‘staycation’ and selling your leave to make ends meet? Are you “jealous” that Key’s off to Maui for 3 weeks, again? Or are you just a bit pissed off to learn that our Minister of Tourism has so far spent over 100 days overseas on holiday since becoming PM, while the average Kiwi’s had just 27 days abroad and tourism here is in crisis?

2012: “celebrity” PM – collective action

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, December 23rd, 2012 - 47 comments

Individualism & “celebrity” PM, John Key were still strong in 2012.  But, there was opposition from some (often local) groups working collaboratively:  Occupy, Glen Innes protesters, MUNZ, Asset Sales referendum, AAAP advocacy activism, manufacturing inquiry, NZLP democratisation, TS nest of vipers. And 2013?

John Key’s Summer

Written By: - Date published: 8:53 am, December 22nd, 2012 - 131 comments

While John Key spends the summer in Hawaii, he will need to make some decisions about the future of his cabinet.  Parata’s future is poised in the balance, and he is looking to move Tim Groser on later next year.

Media Bias & Democracy I: truth to power

Written By: - Date published: 11:49 am, December 20th, 2012 - 37 comments

Democracy needs independent news media, acting in the public interest, to speak truth to power.  The commercial imperatives and neoliberal capture of corporate news organisations skew their political coverage, and contribute to voter disengagement. A perfect context for Key’s government to dismantle democracy: ECAN, CERA, Auckland Council, asset sales.

Shearer Says

Written By: - Date published: 11:46 am, December 20th, 2012 - 55 comments

David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter, this week – Merry Christmas!

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

The spinmeister of Planet Key: Retrospective

Written By: - Date published: 10:07 am, December 18th, 2012 - 37 comments

On TV3 this morning, John Key was soothing and slick.  All is well on Planet Key, and critics are delusional.  He reeled of numbers and facts, but material realities of daily lives, and the suffering of people on low incomes aren’t mentioned. And asset sales?

What’s new? Shearer retrospective.

Written By: - Date published: 11:35 am, December 17th, 2012 - 124 comments

David Shearer was on TV 3 this morning, reflecting on his last year. He claimed that he and Labour are doing well under new and settled leadership, taking a new direction.  How accurate are his claims?

Shearer Says

Written By: - Date published: 9:21 am, December 14th, 2012 - 17 comments

David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter – on a year to remember.

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

Shearer on fine form

Written By: - Date published: 4:46 pm, December 12th, 2012 - 148 comments

David Shearer was on fine form in this speech yesterday, rounding up the year with thanks to Parliament’s workers, greetings to the opposition “family”, a friendly dig at the Press Gallery, the year of “Partial Recall” and memory dot gone, and finally the serious business of holding the Nats to account on their appalling record. Good work.

Something rotten in the state…

Written By: - Date published: 9:58 am, December 11th, 2012 - 88 comments

As an outsider watching the struggles in the Labour Party unfold, I am becoming increasingly despondent about the state of Left wing politics in NZ.  Right now, NZ, and those of us who party vote Green/Mana, require a strong, democratic and solidly left wing Labour Party.

Banks private prosecution begins

Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, December 11th, 2012 - 36 comments

The hearing into the private prosecution of John Banks over his ‘anonymous’ mayoral donations begins today. That the private prosecution has got this far shows the judge believes there is a prima facie case – which puts the Police to shame for failing to take Banks to court. Banks is trying to avoid taking the stand, but I don’t see how he ultimately can.

Mega-screenshots promise more embarassment

Written By: - Date published: 11:29 am, December 10th, 2012 - 6 comments

Kim DotCom has been twittering about his new website that is under development to the amusement of some observers. But for us in NZ we’re probably less interested in the layout of his file manager than what is actually in the screenshot of the file manager. Promises yet more pain for the government and it’s inept police and security services.

And Fairfax makes three

Written By: - Date published: 11:03 am, December 9th, 2012 - 56 comments

After good news for Labour in the most recent TV1 and 3 News polls, the latest Fairfax poll is the third in the set confirming that the party has emerged from the recent media circus in OK shape. As far as I know that’s the last big poll of 2012, and with the Left / Right gap halved since the election, a reasonable place for Labour to be sitting at the end of the year.

The enemy is still not your friend

Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, December 8th, 2012 - 95 comments

It’s pretty clear: the Greens have managed to hold on to the massive gain they made during the last election campaign, largely at Labour’s expense as it imploded. Labour’s back to its pre-campaign level, at National’s expense. Lab+Green=Nat or thereabouts but the Left needs a good 5% more from the Right to feel confident. So, this is not the time to be listening to John Armstrong’s advice.

Shearer Says

Written By: - Date published: 5:33 pm, December 7th, 2012 - 40 comments

David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter, this week on the Auckland tornado, and the emergency response.

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

Ministers in a Lab/Green govt

Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, December 4th, 2012 - 143 comments

Paddy Gower looked fit to burst with excitement over ‘Greens and Labour fighting over Finance portfolio‘ last night. Of course, the actual quote not so exciting – just Russel Norman saying it was one portfolio that would be the subject of negotiations in the formation of a Lab/Green govt. But it does raise a valid question – who would be ministers in a Lab/Green govt?

Meanwhile, on Planet Key

Written By: - Date published: 10:47 am, December 3rd, 2012 - 26 comments

Sure, National is still in the mid-40s and Key will back himself to crucify Shearer in the debates, but his own brand is suffering badly. He’s failed on jobs and increasingly being seen as out of touch. So, is making the news for eating a grasshopper really a smart move?

Two good polls for Labour and Shearer

Written By: - Date published: 6:07 pm, December 2nd, 2012 - 122 comments

Individual polls are nothing to get too excited about, it is the trend over time that matters. That said, the TV1 and 3 News polls tonight were both good news for Labour and Shearer.

Labour’s housing policy a winner

Written By: - Date published: 10:20 pm, December 1st, 2012 - 113 comments

Re Labour’s housing policy, announced by David Shearer at the Labour Party conference, John Armstrong says: “For the first time in a very long time, Labour has come up with something radical on the policy front which may grab the public’s attention, if not imagination – and which National cannot really get away with copying.”