Great reaction to Jacinda move

Written By: - Date published: 8:02 am, March 2nd, 2017 - 72 comments
Categories: Andrew Little, Annette King, jacinda ardern, labour, leadership, Media - Tags:

I was and am a big fan of Annette King. Like everyone else in Labour I thank her for her decades of service and for the selfless way that she decided to pass the torch. Because there is no denying that the (presumed) move to Jacinda Ardern as deputy leader has been very well received.

Let’s start with (of all people) Patrick Gower:

Deputy Jacinda is Labour’s best move in years

Jacinda Ardern’s anointment as deputy leader is the best leadership move I’ve seen Labour make.

Putting Ardern into the role with six months to go till a general election shows one thing: Labour wants to win.

And if Ardern will do one thing, it she will amplify the “vibe” on the Left.

Not sure about Gower’s obsession with “the vibe” – I suspect that voters may be more interested in housing, jobs, alleviating poverty, and clean water – but whatever.

The key question is this – will Ardern make a difference to Labour’s fortunes? The answer: she already has, and she hasn’t even started in the job.

A final word for Annette King – Labour to the end, every decision she has ever made has been for the good of her party. Not many politicians can retire saying that.

Tracy Watkins:

Why the Labour Party needed Jacinda Ardern, and needed her now

Andrew Little’s move to install Jacinda Ardern as his deputy is a big bold pitch for the honeymoon as Labour leader that he never got.

Fronting the media for the first time on Wednesday, Labour looked like it had finally found its dream team.

Ardern’s chemistry with voters is what’s needed to help reconnect with some of those urban liberals, young people and women who have drifted away from Labour since Helen Clark’s time.

His answer to them was Wednesday’s press conference where he and Ardern both made it clear they are in it to win.

See also…
Risks and rewards for Labour of the Jacinda effect
And just like that there was a vacancy after all: Annette King makes way for Labour’s rising star
Labour are hoping that Jacinda Ardern will help win over younger voters

… and the political roundup from Bryce Edwards:

The Ardern decision shows Labour wants to win

Jacinda Ardern’s elevation to the deputy leadership position in Labour really shouldn’t surprise anyone. It’s now a major part of Andrew Little’s repositioning of Labour.

It’s now “The Andrew and Jacinda Show”. Annette King’s decision to step down from Labour’s deputy leader position in favour of Jacinda Ardern is yet another major advance in Little’s re-positioning of the party this year. And it’s a very smart move.

Reactions to the news have, so far, been very positive.

The new leadership combination also signals that Labour has been through major rejuvenation, and that the Helen Clarks days are finally over. The frontbench and leadership now looks entirely different from the last Labour government and more future-oriented.

Consequently, Little is now looking stronger as a leader and appears to be very determined. After all, this all comes in the wake of Little’s increasingly successful implementation of the “broad church strategy” of bringing in Willie Jackson on the left and Greg O’Connor on the right of the party. Finally, Little looks like he’s “cutting the crap”. …

Last words to Labour’s leaders:
Annette King quits as Labour deputy, endorses Jacinda Ardern
‘I have what it takes’ – Jacinda Ardern lined up to become Labour’s new deputy leader
I’m backing Jacinda – Little promising generational change

All the best Jacinda in your new role!

72 comments on “Great reaction to Jacinda move ”

  1. RRM 1

    The best reaction of all, comes from The Civilian:

    http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/talented-rising-star-finally-presented-with-career-ending-noose-she-always-wanted/

    Quote:

    “It is such an honour,” she told reporters, as the leadership duo now stood separated only by three metres of rope. “But more than that, I take this very seriously. I believe I’m up to the job, and ready to tie myself to Andrew in ways that can only benefit him.”

    Little echoed that sentiment, saying he was “thrilled” to have Ardern aboard, and couldn’t wait to drag her down to his level in ways she could never recover from.

    /quote

  2. Red 2

    So Jk leaving was going to propel angry Andy in the pols, nup, now Jacinda is going to do the same. when will labour understand the problem is angry Andy ain’t got it and that labour no longer represents a constituency above 30pc the are just a middle to minor party with a number of others

    [lprent: Hey, why did you change your handle? This one almost seems like false advertising for a right wing nut job troll (albeit one that generally obeys the site rules). Would you like me to fix it for you? ]

    • r0b 2.1

      Golly Red, you’ve convinced me! I think I’ll vote for National this time!! Thanks for opening my eyes!!!

      • Gabby 2.1.1

        I might stick with the Angry fellow. I’m not sure Bingles has a circulatory system.

        • tc 2.1.1.1

          He does it’s been circulating wealth from the public to the private for over 8 years now and it’s worked a treat.

      • Nick 2.1.2

        Nice r0b, you made me laugh ….Andrew Little feels genuine, totally opposite to that 10 faced other prick ex pm Shonkey…..I am not a Labour voter, but I am reconsidering now……perhaps Red prefers Paula Benefit 😉

    • Red, you are a boring old parrot .

    • weka 2.3

      MMP, dude. Yawn.

    • Red 2.4

      Na its my hair colour, what’s in a colour anyway, Ie democrats vs republican On a serious note all I am raising albeit in a challenging way to die hard lefties is there are potential negative unintended consequences of this change to labour vs the rose tinted glassses view We had the same euphoria when Jk resigned re game changes ( lost count of those) , just trying to dampen down the expectations and raise and alternative view 😀

    • Ethica 2.5

      I’m angry at the terrible things this Government is doing. I’m glad Andrew Little is too.

      • mosa 2.5.1

        Yes Ethica at least Little has emotion which is sadly lacking but predictable with the current government.

        I would be angry as well if i had to put up with looking at Nationals front bench from across the chamber when parliament is sitting and being treated like a child by the idiot media who are dressed up like journalists but dont know what real journalisim is.

  3. Bob 3

    Red, your obviously a troll for C & T, please remember that National have had 8 years, and what have they achieved, NOTHING apart from creating a wider Disparity amongst all, the working poor will rise up & Bible Bill & “the Elephant in the room” will both be standing with egg on their faces, as none of the hard decisions have been made for fear of loosing votes. JK left for more than just his Son & H P.

    Eat more cake please, it suits you !!!

  4. Brendon 4

    Gabby and Rob this Angry Andrew theme that rightwing trolls use is interesting, because everyone I have talked to who have had behind the scene contact with Bill English knows he has a tendency to go off on angry rants. This characteristic is so well-known that Bill for a long time has had the nickname -Angry Bill.

    Whereas everyone I talk to about Andrew Little who have behind the scene dealings with him report how he is calm, considered, looks after his team and has a good sense of humour.

    The Angry Andrew moniker seems to have no factual base. Is it a social media alternative fact?

    • Andre 4.1

      The “Angry Andy” thing looks to have been created by Joyce as a diversion after Little telling Key to cut the crap over Dirty Politics.

      http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/john-key-andrew-little-lock-horns-over-dirty-politics-2014112618

      • tc 4.1.1

        Exactly it’s another DP ploy which Excitable boy paddy runs with like the good little elf he is.

      • Johan 4.1.2

        Have you ever seen John Key trying to defend himself in the debating chamber?
        Now that is anger personified.

        • the pigman 4.1.2.1

          gessumgusssuhn*shower of spittle flecks*gettawntheroightsoide!

          *makes a throat slitting gesture*

    • Red 4.2

      It’s perception that counts and controlling the narrative up front, not what happens behind the scenes, that’s Little and his minders responsibility, Little could be a good guy for all I know The general public don’t no any of their politicians personally, here is where Jacinda could be difficult for little, not from and intent perspective but simply she outshines little re preferred pm poll, is scrutinised a lot more from a substance perspective every thus raising all sorts of opportunity for opposition to attack and media to pontificate Just and observation and opinion Time will tell

  5. Keith 5

    Its strange but there was not the micro analysis or in fact virtually any from our corporate media with Paula Bennett’s scripted promotion to Deputy PM.

    And to this day they haven’t bothered to find out why Key resigned, just took his non credible word for it!

  6. fisiani 6

    Look a green shoot……..1,000,000 voters are flocking to Labour. Wait for the next rogue poll. Find another green shoot somewhere. Surely there is a green shoot somewhere?

    • weka 6.1

      What the fuck are you on about? Aren’t you just back from a ban? Wouldn’t it make more sense to actual make some sense?

      [lprent: Yep. Ban was up yesterday?, day before? So I released. ]

  7. Bob 7

    “Not sure about Gower’s obsession with “the vibe” – I suspect that voters may be more interested in housing, jobs, alleviating poverty, and clean water”
    Yes, but people don’t believe the majority of what politicians say (for good reason, due to actions on both sides of the house), so talk of how parties are going to solve the issues of housing, jobs, alleviating poverty, and clean water mean fuck all if voters don’t like the person delivering the message. This is where John Key was successful, and this is where I think Jacinda Ardern will be successful.

    Her only downside at this point that I can see (apart from being a lightweight in the house, but no-one really cares what happens in the house anymore and this will come with experience), is the fact she struggles with the line between passion and anger.
    If she can sort this out, I can see her being a huge asset to the Labour Party, and may actually be the difference at the next election.

    • tc 7.1

      Gower has zero credibility so he’s well suited to mark Weldons refocused TV3 as a proven water carrier for the Tory DP machine.

  8. Sacha 8

    “the selfless way that she decided to pass the torch”

    If King had done that *before* digging her heels in and spitting the dummy, you might have a point. Presumably some of the party’s leadership had a forceful word or two to encourage sufficient personal reflection. Still, glad it’s working out well for Labour. We all want to change the govt.

  9. Jacinda will need all our support. I for one aint interested in MSM beat ups. This woman is a great Labour MP, I mourn Annette Kings departure, but refuse to buy into any other narrative other than Labour can win : Labour has a great team. We need to change the government.

    • weka 9.1

      +1

      There’s a bit in the comments here about how Jacinda is a useless MP apart from the lipstick. Misogyny on a couple fronts there.

      I don’t know much about her as an MP, so Labour getting that out there would be useful.

      • roy cartland 9.1.1

        Gordon Campbell has a great article up:
        http://werewolf.co.nz/2017/03/gordon-campbell-on-arderns-ascension-trumps-triumph/

        my fave bit:
        “… it’s about time we cut the crap about Jacinda Ardern being only a show pony. Yet here we are in election year 2017 and the likes of Matthew Hooton can still be heard on RNZ this week claiming that Ardern, quote, “campaigns on her looks” unquote.

        The response from the RNZ presenter? “That’s a bit harsh.” You think? Oh, if only Ardern had the sober grandeur of Gerry Brownlee! If only she had – somehow, from the opposition benches – amassed the list of policy achievements that intellectual giants like Nathan Guy and Michael Woodhouse have racked up over the course of their nine years in government.”

        Ha!

        • weka 9.1.1.1

          Campbell had me at the first line, esp as having had a rather stupid conversation here on TS where people were actually running a vagina voting line.

          Hooton, ffs. What does that even mean “campaigns on her looks”?

          • HDCAFriendlyTroll 9.1.1.1.1

            Obviously it means he’s a misogynist.

            • weka 9.1.1.1.1.1

              Hooton? I’d call him a sexist probably, but to be fair with Hooton everything goes through the spin cycle so it’s just as likely he’s just saying that shit for political ends (another kind of sexism I guess). I haven’t listened to the piece, so don’t know the context.

          • Carolyn_nth 9.1.1.1.2

            Yes. the opening line and the comparisons between the things male politicians get away with, but when done by female pollies they get judged harshly. And this:

            As this excellent NBR article by Pearl Going pointed out two years ago, if John Key had been a ‘pretty little thing’ his fawning over the All Blacks in general and Richie McCaw in particular and his selective memory loss on everything from the Springbok tour to the details of policy would have been judged very harshly indeed. These would be judged to be terminal foibles in a female politician. In Key, they were touted as part and parcel of the man’s unique skills as a political communicator.

            A woman PM, behaving like Key, would not have been acclaimed as someone everyoneman would like to have a beer with. She’d be called an air-head.

            • weka 9.1.1.1.2.1

              Yep. Pretty much all of the criticism of Ardern being a useless MP has been vacuous (irony!). Lots of lazy assertion, but bugger all analysis. That some then choose to throw in the lipstick stuff shows us just how far we still have to go.

              • Carolyn_nth

                I think the amount of those sorts of responses show how much traditional masculine values, attitudes, habits and processes are deeply embedded in political activities – and commentaries about politics..

                Gordon Campbell’s critique shows how to reflect on such masculine culture and traditions: e.g. do the comparison exercise in which some masculine behaviours would be viewed if done by a woman, and vice versa.

              • Red

                Ok please put forward here achievements in putting the government on the spot re the opposition portfolio responsibilities she has handled, likewise where she has been the genesis, fronting and leading strongly any labour policy initiatives

                • weka

                  Why should anyone here try and defend any left wing MP according to the definitions of a far rightie?

                  If you think that Ardern is not a good MP make the case using some actual analysis, and do us a favour and leave all the lipstick crap out of it.

      • mosa 9.1.2

        Bloody Paula Bennett never got the media crap about her elevation to deputy.

        And she looks even scarier with a bit of lippie on.

    • mosa 9.2

      Yeah your right Darien i just hope the National hit squad dont use Jacinda’s elevation against Andrew when she starts polling higher than her leader.

      They will take great delight in saying there is a challenge when there is not one just to try and destabilise Labour in the eyes of the public and after the last campaign i would be prepared for anything in the run up to September.

    • NewsFlash 9.3

      The right are very fearful of Jacinda, she has the presence, credibility, diplomacy and intelligence that eludes every member of the National party, they are worried.

      I saw an interview with Jacinda eight years ago, and my immediate thoughts were, here’s Labours future PM.

  10. Enough is Enough 10

    “Not sure about Gower’s obsession with “the vibe” – I suspect that voters may be more interested in housing, jobs, alleviating poverty, and clean water – but whatever”

    Although I hope that is the case this election r0b, the results from the last three elections do not confirm your suspicion.

  11. Roflcopter 11

    The real question is, will any of this move voters from right to left?

    Nope.

    • Enough is Enough 11.1

      Maybe not, but it will prompt those people who couldn’t stand Cunliffe but despise National to vote this time.

      There are a million voters out there for the taking.

    • Sacha 11.2

      Will it move some soft voters from the Nats to Labour? Maybe.

  12. Tory 12

    Just adds another ‘layer’ of interest to Little’s defamation case involving Jacindia’s daddy, Ross, seemingly implicated in Littles outburst that the Niue Hotel deal ‘stinks’.

    I wonder if she will step down during the proceedings?

  13. Siobhan 13

    Well Bryce Edwards in the NBR likes Jacinda, so does Patrick Gower, so will the Womans Weekly no doubt, if that’s the sort of Labour Party we’re building, then things are well on track.

    • red-blooded 13.1

      Love the “we”, Siobhan! Maybe I’m being unfair, but I don’t remember you as being particularly positive about anything the Labour Party does or stands for.

  14. FlashinthePan 14

    “Not sure about Gower’s obsession with “the vibe” – I suspect that voters may be more interested in housing, jobs, alleviating poverty, and clean water – but whatever.”

    I agree with other posters above. This view seems more than a little naive. Voters around the world including here at home have been clearly demonstrating they don’t give a flying f*ck about policy and for them they only care about personality.

    I for one think this is a game-changer and feel a sense of massive relief that Labour FINALLY seems willing to play the game. You want to enact change? You have to get ELECTED first.

    Go Labour/Greens/Mana!

    • Roflcopter 14.1

      You said “game-changer”… and we all know what happens every time someone uses that phrase.

    • Red 14.2

      Red alert another game changer, I thought Jk going was the game changer

      • the pigman 14.2.1

        Actually, I’m pretty sure it was a response to his assessment of the game being up.

        “game-changer” doesn’t suggest the polls will turn upside down — though they are undoubtedly already on the move — but as people see Bill English struggle with his Catholic guilt to lie through his teeth and shrug his shoulders, they will see his government for what it is.

        40 people queuing to see a single rental home. Complete success!

        To paraphrase the immortal words of Daniel Day Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood, “[He’s] FINIIIIISHED!”

    • Gristle 14.3

      Don’t knock Gower’s “vibe” thing. Don’t knock it on the basis that Gower is saying something positive about Labour. It may be wrong, or superficial, but it is positive. And having a media that is not instantly dismissive of Labour is a far better position for Labour to be in at any time, and even more so in election year.

    • mosa 14.4

      Gower would love to have “vibe” but he well and truly missed the bus on that one.

  15. Michael who failed Civics 15

    You are absolutely right to “suspect that voters may be more interested in housing, jobs, alleviating poverty, and clean water”, rather than who’s up and who’s down in the Labour hierarchy (we still have to pay for them all anyway, irrespective of their rankings). It is that very reef upon which the Labour ship founders: nothing it has said or done so far constitutes the slightest evidence that it will behave any differently in office than National. So there’s no reason for anyone to vote for a change of Government if all they’re going to get is the status quo. I realise that New Zealanders are hostile to change but that never stopped Labour governments before the last one. Labour must make a convincing case for change, not for change’s sake, but because conditions are changing. After nine years in Opposition, Labour seems unwilling to accept that challenge; until it does, we’re better off with the devil we know. Changing the image, which is all Ardern’s promotion is, does not substitute for changing the substance.

    • red-blooded 15.1

      Michael, that comment is just pig ignorant. Go and read some Labour Party policy and then come back and discuss things rationally.

      • Michael who failed Civics 15.1.1

        Unfortunately, I have read a lot of it. While it may be possible that none of it is meant to be taken seriously (as was the case with previous Labour “policy”), assuming that it is meant to be be taken seriously results in the conclusion that Labour’s strategy for government is to conduct itself almost entirely as National does. Therefore, based on Labour’s public utterances, a vote for it will not change the government. I think that’s why Little wanted his most photogenic MP as his deputy. I doubt it will work but I may underestimate the fickleness of the metropolitan middle classes, to whom Labour pitches its messages these days.

    • NewsFlash 15.2

      Michael

      Your characterisation of the “devil” is correct, the current mob could not be better described.

  16. Fisiani 16

    If preferred pm figures are higher for Ardern than Little would that be a rogue poll or a reason to change leader? Be careful what you wish for.

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