Labour’s opening address shows that the Party has rediscovered its heart. It’s policies show that its rediscovered its balls as well! I’ve written on this recently (and I also welcome the focus on policy rather than personalities). But I’m not the only one, the accolades for Labour’s boldness are flowing in:
Party’s courage setting agenda
Is Labour exhibiting genuine political courage with its sudden willingness to tackle sacred cows such as the age of eligibility for super? Or is this just an electoral ploy to outflank National on the question of which party is willing to act in the country’s best interests rather than just out of self-interest? Probably a bit of both. …
Labour’s willingness to be bold ought to shake National out of any preconceptions about how the campaign will unfold. Labour has everything to gain. If being seen to tackle sacred cows works electorally, it will have been worth the gamble.
But it is still a gamble. Labour still has a lot to lose.
Labour is about to announce a hugely controversial policy. It agrees with the Retirement Commissioner that the age of eligibility for National Superannuation should rise to 67 by 2033. It will announce it at 2pm today. … It really throws the cat amongst the political pigeons.
Labour’s approach is now very, very clear. It will be big and bold, risky and realistic. Phil Goff and his team certainly aren’t going down without a fight. …
But it’s bold. It shows Labour is prepared to debate the big issues. I congratulate Phil Goff and his team for that. Their collective heads are above the sand. Others are buried below it. …
So Labour has lifted the lid on a policy area previously seen as taboo. The issue that can’t be discussed. Good on Goff. Good on his team. It needs to be debated, it needs to be discussed. It’s very clever politics from Labour. It knows Key is hamstrung by his promise to resign. It fits perfectly into the narrative that Labour wants to debate the hard issues, and Key won’t.
Labour is taking a risk. But it’s a calculated, clever and cunning plan. Don Brash will agree with it. And any other right wing or centrist politician should have the balls to front up and support Labour in this debate.
It makes economic sense – we can’t afford not to debate this. Even John Key knows that.
Labour takes a bold step on retirement
Having already grasped the nettle of a capital gains tax, the Labour Party has gone out on another limb by announcing it would lift the age of eligibility for superannuation to 67.
The risk inherent in this is obvious, especially with voters who are approaching retirement age. But that only makes it the more commendable.
For too long, the sustainability of NZ Superannuation has been sidestepped by politicians, not least the Prime Minister.
Now, Labour’s retirement and savings policy means a much-needed debate on the age of eligibility and other options, such as means testing, will finally take place.
And so on and so on. Even Farrar manages to dig deep and congratulate Labour.
The Left are the massive underdogs going in to this election. We’re starting the race from a mile behind. Conventional wisdom says that Labour should be meekly sleepwalking to defeat. But Labour has shattered conventional wisdom. I for one have never been prouder of the Party than I am right now. If we lose, it will be a defeat to be proud of. And who knows, we just might win…
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress