Little gone

187 comments on “Little gone ”

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1. Louis 1

   1 August 2017 at 10:11 am

   Im gutted beyond belief.
   • Enough is Enough 1.1

     1 August 2017 at 10:21 am

     That’s a lot of billboards to replace
     • savenz 1.1.1

       1 August 2017 at 10:29 am

       It is an insane thing to do, but like suicide, they drove him to it. Surely the party should have thought it through?
       • savenz 1.1.1.1

         1 August 2017 at 10:44 am

         Don’t forget they even have Scenic hotels bullying him with litigation, not just once but a 2nd lawsuits to keep as much pressure on during the election to break him down. It’s fucking outrageous
         • burt 1.1.1.1.1

           1 August 2017 at 10:55 am

           Yes, absolutely ridiculous he stayed on so long. Typical self serving Union wankers who put him there should be ashamed of themselves for putting such a cock in the seat to start with.
           • savenz 1.1.1.1.1.1

             1 August 2017 at 11:05 am

             Yep Burt, Labour leaders should be rotated out every three months during election year, keeps the media busy and off what little National has delivered for New Zealanders. Good idea. Sarc. Lets get rid of unions for police and teachers, all regulations and go to a sort of Hunger games society, under National policy.
           • Psycho Milt 1.1.1.1.1.2

             1 August 2017 at 11:30 am

             You do realise the fact that the more deranged right-wingers such as yourself hate him so much is actually one of his good points, right?
             • tuppence shrewsbury …

               1 August 2017 at 11:40 am

               They didn’t hate him though. In politics you have to be someone to be hated. Also, why would they hate the greatest political gift from the opposition in this electoral cycle? it doesn’t make sense as he’s been trending down for years.

               I think you have to ask why the public disliked him so much?
               • Psycho Milt …

                 1 August 2017 at 11:44 am

                 So, in nut-job-ville, “Typical self serving Union wankers who put him there should be ashamed of themselves for putting such a cock in the seat to start with” is a ringing endorsement? I’m pretty sure it isn’t…
       • Louis 1.1.1.2

         1 August 2017 at 11:29 am

         I had faith Save NZ and now I dont. I dont have much money, very little in fact, live week to week but I gave to Labour whatever and whenever I could and now this…. oh fuck it I have had enough of this bullshit.
     • Louis 1.1.2

       1 August 2017 at 11:24 am

       Not helpful. Not funny. Andrew Little didn’t appear that concerned with low polls before, he obviously knew from his interview with Corin Dann this would be the outcome. Why? and 2 months out from an election, leadership changes particularly at this late stage of the game are unlikely to be rewarded with a win. This is bloody madness.
       • mlpc 1.1.2.1

         1 August 2017 at 11:27 am

         I think perhaps that Little was begin a bit naive admitting that he had discussed quitting with his colleagues.

         Journalists are like sharks – they smell blood and they go into a feeding frenzy.
         • savenz 1.1.2.1.1

           1 August 2017 at 11:35 am

           Key mentioned thinking about resigning and the MSM lapped it up! Lets not blame Little for talking about resigning – Key did it too. In addition who are Little’s communication advisers???? Another one working for National?

           There is a double standard in the media – time to turn off like we all did after Campbell Live.
2. savenz 2

   1 August 2017 at 10:12 am

   Fucking sad. I hate bullies that write story after story to bring some poor decent guy down. Labour should have supported him more, it’s clearly a winning tactic for the right.
3. Muttonbird 3

   1 August 2017 at 10:12 am

   Happy now?
   • Bunji 3.1

     1 August 2017 at 10:16 am

     No. Really don’t want Labour to be in a position where they were even having vague thoughts about changing the leader 8 weeks out from an election…
4. mickysavage 4

   1 August 2017 at 10:13 am

   He is one of the most down to earth and decent as well as dedicated people in politics I have ever met.

   Sad day …
   • weka 4.1

     1 August 2017 at 10:20 am

     +1

     A good man trying to do right by NZ. Big loss for NZ here that we can’t have good men in that position.
   • Bunji 4.2

     1 August 2017 at 10:25 am

     +1

     But yet, still got to press on with the campaign. A new leader in half-an-hour… hopefully Jacinda can turn the polls around?!?
     Politics is brutal, and contrary to popular opinion it’s mainly good-hearted people involved… (and real people, no matter how the media & public treat them…). Got to feel for Andrew that he’s got into a position where resigning is the only way out, when he’s doing his utmost best to improve the lives of all New Zealanders.
     • Muttonbird 4.2.1

       1 August 2017 at 10:35 am

       Those New Zealanders who need help the most are afraid to ask for it. What an ugly country we have become.
     • katipo 4.2.2

       1 August 2017 at 10:42 am

       Exactly, but we sure do live in interesting times!
       Listening to my National leaning workmates they don’t seem to have the same visceral hatred for Jacinda as they did for Clark, Goff, Cunliffe & Little. The same seems to be true of main stream media too, in fact they often only use her first name in a kind of chummy way as if they want her to be their friend. NZ loves an under dog wonder how the media will spin it.
   • Karen 4.3

     1 August 2017 at 10:30 am

     +1
     This is a huge loss for Labour and NZ.
   • Nick K 4.4

     1 August 2017 at 11:44 am

     Micky, to be fair, I’m an Actoid but even I could tell he has those qualities.
   • Adrian Thornton 4.5

     1 August 2017 at 12:47 pm

     +1, Although I was disappointed that Little didn’t pull the party Left enough to make it a relevant and powerful force much needed in the political landscape today, I nonetheless always maintained that he was without doubt a man of integrity and honesty.
     That Labour couldn’t take advantage of Little’s natural honesty and unquestioned moral compass during a campaign against a opposition that has neither, is probably more of a reflection on Labour than on Little.
5. lprent 5

   1 August 2017 at 10:14 am

   This is just stupid.
   • weka 5.1

     1 August 2017 at 10:22 am

     Beyond belief stupid.
   • Draco T Bastard 5.2

     1 August 2017 at 10:30 am

     +111
   • SpaceMonkey 5.3

     1 August 2017 at 10:46 am

     +1000… I am lost for words… at the moment.
   • Matthew Whitehead 5.4

     1 August 2017 at 1:11 pm

     It’s stupid that it was necessary, but it was the only smart move left after that daft, unforced announcement that he had considered resigning. It was going to be wall-to-wall “will you resign?” for at least the next week, by actually going before those questions made it obvious he was embattled, he’s given Labour back the political oxygen it was struggling to find, and can preserve his image as a good bloke who was always doing his best for Labour. (which is, I’m sure, an accurate one)

     It was a brave move by Little and the only one he had left to make after he had painted himself so thoroughly into a corner. I was saying to Weka yesterday that whoever’s idea it was to talk about resigning should quit: I guess he had the same thought, but through whatever weird psychic communication didn’t get the bit about how if it’s Andrew himself he should just go sit in a corner/on a beach and think about what he did, lol.

     The only people who don’t seem to like Ardern as leader are sexists so far, so I’m cautiously optimistic. Labour has been here with Mike Moore before, and almost won from an impossible deficit. Ardern just needs to get another 6-8% together with the Greens and she’s in the Prime Minister’s chair, so it’s not even as hard for her, and she actually seemed like a Prime Minister at the conference. This is actually the most optimistic I’ve been this entire election cycle, but we’ll see how I feel in 72 hours when she’s done taking stock and we get to start seeing her changes.
     • weka 5.4.1

       1 August 2017 at 1:20 pm

       Or maybe he did go sit at the beach and thought fuck it, this is way better than what I’ve been doing (apparently he came out of the caucus meeting looking chipper). Lol.

       Nice summation though. I also feel excited and cautiously optimistic. The election is still on a knife edge, and I hope Labour people are on the phone and email in the next few days giving the leadership some very pointed direction.
6. Rosemary McDonald 6

   1 August 2017 at 10:16 am

   Deja vu? (add your own accents 🙂 )
7. Violet 7

   1 August 2017 at 10:17 am

   There goes my vote for Labour. Disgusted with caucus. Wish I could get my donation back.
   • savenz 7.1

     1 August 2017 at 10:24 am

     Exactly, Violet, the right know that, by dividing labour leaders they divide Labour voters, . win win. I’m disgusted too. But it was probably not Labour, relentless MSM bullying and fake news driving him out.
     • tuppence shrewsbury 7.1.1

       1 August 2017 at 11:46 am

       Honestly? we’ve got to stop whistling the same tune about “relentless MSM bullying” “two faced media” “fake news”.

       news ratings are plummeting, news paper ratings are plummeting. how on earth is it all the media’s fault? what about new media, why aren’t the vaunted labour comms and strategy teams coordinating how to get across the myriad of platforms in a way that works for labour? you outflank traditional media by doing that and then any tricks they try to pull get exposed. I honestly believe that labour took one look at Robbo’s future of work proposal, failed to read between the lines about how society is changing then shelved it and expected everyone to just accidentally vote for them out of boredom.
     • Richard McGrath 7.1.2

       1 August 2017 at 12:24 pm

       Perhaps this whole story is fake news…
   • greywarshark 7.2

     1 August 2017 at 11:21 am

     Greens please Violet.
8. roy cartland 8

   1 August 2017 at 10:17 am

   Come on, we’re the left – doesn’t matter to us who is “the leader”, just that we get our policies in place for the benefit of the many. Chin up!
   • Draco T Bastard 8.1

     1 August 2017 at 10:31 am

     https://www.greens.org.nz/
9. The decrypter 9

   1 August 2017 at 10:19 am

   For fucks sake!!
10. One Two 10

    1 August 2017 at 10:20 am

    And, the ‘real power’ offers another glimpse of its presence…
11. Barfly 11

    1 August 2017 at 10:21 am

    Disappointed
12. savenz 12

    1 August 2017 at 10:22 am

    The main election strategy by National is to now destabilise their opposition leader. I said all along that leadership change was the biggest threat to a change of government. Sad and angry that they in a so called democracy this tactic has been used again and again.

    Last time National had no policy and just a boat rowing together and now a campaign about being together. English is the worst leader and they have a worst campaign. But that’s ok because you can just smear and divide your opposition. Completely fucked up that that dirty tactic is allowed and careerist profit in politics while true believers are bullied out of politics.
    • Brutus Iscariot 12.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:24 am

      Mate, that’s politics.

      There were no National Party members or MP’s in that caucus room, and there were none on the screen during Little’s interview.

      Overcoming the opposition is the point of politics, or are you saying political parties shouldn’t comment on the actions or members of another?
      • savenz 12.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:26 am

        I hate National even more now and more determined to vote them out.
        • LivinInTheBay 12.1.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 10:33 am

          How is it National’s fault that Andrew had little appeal to NZ’ers? His approval rating was his fault and his alone.
          • savenz 12.1.1.1.1

            1 August 2017 at 10:50 am

            I’m pretty sure if you Trolled Bill English every day for 9 months you would get low polls.

            In spite of that, Labour and Greens in some polls were beating National. They had every chance to win. English is worse than Little in the charisma stakes.

            With the thought of a Labour/Green government and getting rid of the low wage economy under the Greens proposals which might have galavanted a huge section of non voters to vote. The Greens need Labour to do that.

            Labour were the weak link to target. The right succeeded.

            Burn some newspapers, turn off the TV and whatever you do, vote Labour and Greens this election!

            As decent citizens of this country we need to take a stand. This type of bullying is not ok. Don’t allow National’s strategy to win another election.
            • LivinInTheBay 12.1.1.1.1.1

              1 August 2017 at 1:27 pm

              This is one of Labour’s problems right here.

              Under Helen you’d never ever hear her say ‘under a Labour/Greens Government ‘

              Labour need to be able to stand on their own two feet rather than rely on a MOU or some sort to win the Govt benches.

              Being lumped in with the Greens helps to drive voters to NZF. And we know Winston detests the Greens.
        • burt 12.1.1.2

          1 August 2017 at 11:05 am

          Yes, the bloody National Party having competent people in it is a problem for sure.

          [lprent: Go away troll. Banned for 4 months. ]
          • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.2.1

            1 August 2017 at 11:32 am

            National don’t have competent people in it though. What they have is people experienced in gaming the system for their own gain.
            • Jono 12.1.1.2.1.1

              1 August 2017 at 1:01 pm

              so true. They are masters in the art of dirty politics…
        • Rightofleftcentre 12.1.1.3

          1 August 2017 at 3:13 pm

          So the party implodes in disarray and it’s somehow National’s fault? Might explain more than you realise….
      • Draco T Bastard 12.1.2

        1 August 2017 at 10:39 am

        You probably need to read this:

        So why is there all this talk of being ‘radical’?

        The answer is simple. It’s called ‘radical’ because it is at odds with the current economic, social and cultural settings that were designed to serve only a small part of the population.

        It is these ‘current settings’, however, that in any balanced analysis should themselves be termed ‘radical’.

        And this bit:

        More intriguingly – the same authors argue – is that more recent radical departures from the dominant egalitarian form of human social organisation have always been inherently unstable. And it is that instability, paradoxically, that has propelled such radical and hierarchical social arrangements to conquer and eliminate less radical, more stable, more egalitarian societies.

        National are tearing our society apart for their own aggrandizement and enrichment.
    • Sam C 12.2

      1 August 2017 at 10:40 am

      Labour didn’t need National to destabilise their leader. They did that all by themselves.
    • Richard McGrath 12.3

      1 August 2017 at 12:25 pm

      Of course Labour would never do that…
13. Jason 13

    1 August 2017 at 10:23 am

    Roy it looks like our polices are not wanted by the electorate, there needs to be a massive rethink.
    • Gabby 13.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:32 am

      Hard to say if the electorate even know what Labour’s policies are.
      • savenz 13.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:54 am

        Of course not Gabby, because every day all we hear about is how horrible Andrew Little and all his character flaws and what a fraudster Metiria is.

        Maybe turn off the TV, burn newspapers and just vote for what you don’t want, and that’s 3 more years of National!
        • Chch_chiquita 13.1.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 11:06 am

          And yet, the MSM did the same to Corbyn in the UK and he managed to get the message out and have support of the membership even though he didn’t have support of Labour MPs. So perhaps it is not about the man or the media but about the policies after all.
          • savenz 13.1.1.1.1

            1 August 2017 at 11:41 am

            @ Chch_chiquita
            Yep, because Corbyn refused to resign, he had better and more dedicated media advisers AND he’s older and been through it all before. Corbyn is remarkable because he refused to resign.

            He was too strong to resign because he understood if he did that Labour was dead to neoliberalism and careerists who don’t even care about politics just the polls so they keep their job for another term. Corbyn fought the careerists and polls and won.

            Also even Corbyn didn’t have Scenic Hotels litigating him in not one but two lawsuits. Little was under a lot of pressure and not supported by his party enough. It’s out and out bullying by Gower for example.
14. s y d 14

    1 August 2017 at 10:23 am

    Surely now Labour is finished. Gone the way of all the formerly socialist parties, that engaged in the death embrace with neo-liberalism and abandoned any commitment to represent their constituency. The stupidity is astounding.
    • Draco T Bastard 14.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:40 am

      +111

      Hopefully the remaining socialist in Labour will shift to the Greens.
    • Adrian Thornton 14.2

      1 August 2017 at 12:53 pm

      syd
      +1
      Turn Labour Left.
15. Rosemary McDonald 15

    1 August 2017 at 10:24 am

    Look you lot…take a chill pill, wash it down with a cup of harden-the fuck-up and move on.

    There’s an election coming up….who’re y’all going to vote for now?

    The Natz have this one in the bag….let’s vote for an actual opposition.
    • Richard McGrath 15.1

      1 August 2017 at 12:28 pm

      It’s all right Rosemary, Clark and Cullen have installed their puppet as the new leader.

      [lprent: Trolling and adding nothing to the discussion. Banned for 4 months ]
      • Muttonbird 15.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 12:45 pm

        The lemmings are throwing themselves off the cliff in numbers today.
        • Jono 15.1.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 1:03 pm

          +100
16. DoublePlusGood 16

    1 August 2017 at 10:24 am

    Frankly, I hope this happens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_general_election%2C_2016
    and the Greens eat all their vote.

    I guess I now have to campaign directly against Labour.

    Labour has to die as a political party and be reborn as something more true to its original values.
    All of the Nash, Ardern, Robertson, Pagani, Mike Williams and friends crew need to fuck off to National and get the hell away from New Zealand politics. They’ve done nothing but ruin left wing politics, and New Zealand for a decade.
    • weka 16.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:30 am

      I’m not sure that Ardern is in that group tbh.

      I still think it’s better to work to changing the government. Plenty of time later to pull down Labour if they’re breaking right.
      • DoublePlusGood 16.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:40 am

        Oh yes, Green for party vote all the way.
        And hopefully Robertson can be ditched out of Wellington Central by Shaw. And Harawira beats Davis.
      • Draco T Bastard 16.1.2

        1 August 2017 at 10:43 am

        I’m not sure that Ardern is in that group tbh.

        After having met her – I am.

        Plenty of time later to pull down Labour if they’re breaking right.

        They broke right in the 1980s. They haven’t shifted Left since.
        • weka 16.1.2.1

          1 August 2017 at 10:51 am

          But the party has been in a state of split since then, and there have been attempts to go left. If Labour hold where they are now, that’s seems like a chance. If they give Nash a prime position then that’s a different thing.

          What was it about meeting Ardern that made you think she is RW Labour? She strikes me as being more careerist, but with a LW bent.
          • Draco T Bastard 16.1.2.1.1

            1 August 2017 at 11:00 am

            What was it about meeting Ardern that made you think she is RW Labour?

            It was a meeting about economics and she fully endorsed neo-liberalism. It had a few tweaks here and there to help the poor but she was all about keeping the same failed paradigm.
            • weka 16.1.2.1.1.1

              1 August 2017 at 11:04 am

              that doesn’t tell me much though, because most of Labour is neoliberal lite. Little supports neoliberalism but I wouldn’t call him part of the RW of Labour.
      • SpaceMonkey 16.1.3

        1 August 2017 at 10:47 am

        I am sure she is.
        • weka 16.1.3.1

          1 August 2017 at 10:48 am

          Do you want to say why you think that?
    • Tamati Tautuhi 16.2

      1 August 2017 at 10:32 am

      All right wingers keeping Neoliberalism alive.
      • srylands 16.2.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:51 am

        What neoliberalism? What right wingers? The current government is a liberal centre left government.
        • Draco T Bastard 16.2.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 11:30 am

          And sorrylands pops in to prove he’s disconnected from reality.
    • LivinInTheBay 16.3

      1 August 2017 at 10:36 am

      You’re spot on.

      If Labour moved back towards the average working man they’d get an instant hike in their polling. Instant.

      The average NZ’er doesn’t want to hear the doom and gloom stuff Andrew seemed to be on about all the time. There’s a reason immigration is high – people want to come to NZ because it is seen to be doing well on the world stage.

      Promote policies that help middle NZ lift wages and employment, and increase jobs. The roll on effect can only be good for all.
      • Draco T Bastard 16.3.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:46 am

        Promote policies that help middle NZ lift wages and employment, and increase jobs.

        Wouldn’t it be better to do that for the ~75% of the population who don’t even get the average income?

        They’re the ones that are suffering. Not the middle ~20% just below the top 1%.
        • LivinInTheBay 16.3.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 1:30 pm

          Middle NZ is 75% of the population. The majority of people fall in that category.

          Look after them, and Labour wouldn’t need the Greens.

          Question – how is the middle 20% just below the top 1%?
          • Draco T Bastard 16.3.1.1.1

            1 August 2017 at 1:39 pm

            Middle NZ is 75% of the population.

            That’s just it though – they’re not.

            Question – how is the middle 20% just below the top 1%?

            Average income and above to the top 1% = middle. Below average income is in the lower bracket.

            The 1%, of course, own far too much and so income isn’t something you can really measure their wealth by.

            ~75% of the population don’t get the average income and are thus in the lower income bracket.
      • savenz 16.3.2

        1 August 2017 at 10:57 am

        Yep, keep living in those increasingly polluted Bays, LivinInTheBay, sadly not many workers left now, but don’t worry there is that cafe Barista role for $16 p/h that the new National advertising leads with. Sadly not enough to live on. But hey, all good, temporary, low wage jobs, under the Natz, delivering for NZ!
        • LivinInTheBay 16.3.2.1

          1 August 2017 at 1:32 pm

          So how much should a relatively low skilled role like a barista be paid?

          ‘Not that many workers left’ hmmm unemployment is pretty low right? That suggests there are plenty of workers. Who from the polls don’t currently support Labour.
    • Adrian Thornton 16.4

      1 August 2017 at 12:57 pm

      Yes +1..why won’t they go and start a liberal party, and leave Labour to rebuild, they have sucked all the goodness and public goodwill out of it now,and if they keep going, all we will have left is rotting corpse.
17. One Anonymous Bloke 17

    1 August 2017 at 10:24 am

    It is what it is. There’s an election to win.
    • r0b 17.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:33 am

      Exactly.
      • weka 17.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:37 am

        +2
    • NewsFlash 17.2

      1 August 2017 at 10:11 pm

      And don’t forget that democracy requires the party(ies) with the most votes will be the winner, the majority of votes (dare I say it) lie in the middle or centre, without them catered for there is no hope of taking power, that’s the reality.

      Those on the centre left and further, unfortunately, are a minority and need to recognize that minorities don’t win elections………….
18. Unicus 18

    1 August 2017 at 10:26 am

    The fools have fallen into the same trap National and its trash media set for Shearer and Cunliffe

    After voting three times for Key New Zealanders have forgotten what a real leader looks like – Andrew was that leader

    Timid little Kiwis whimped out again
19. Ad 19

    1 August 2017 at 10:27 am

    Too sad.
    Little is a good man.
20. risildowgtn 20

    1 August 2017 at 10:28 am

    Wasnt a fan of Little until I saw him speak last Friday in Levin.

    The man is passionate about ALL NZers.. dont come across on the box as such but irl he does..
    • ianmac 20.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:37 am

      Yes risildowgtn. He is great in a personal way but less so on TV.
      Sadly the Leader has to be charming on TV even if shallow off the screen like Key was.
      Perhaps Leaders should be chosen for their TV appearance in a run of screen tests? Like a smooth salesperson perhaps.
      • Rosemary McDonald 20.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 11:13 am

        “Sadly the Leader has to be charming on TV….”

        I’m having flashbacks to Muldoon, Shipley, Clarke, and maybe toss in Aunty Ruth Richardson….all of whom had their totally uncharming telly moments…so I’m not convinced that’s the only criteria for popular vote winning.

        At least I hope not.

        “Perhaps Leaders should be chosen for their TV appearance in a run of screen tests? Like a smooth salesperson perhaps.”

        At the very least they are groomed (a la Helen) once they make Leader.

        There was obviously ‘work’ being done on Little….perhaps he (quite rightly) rebelled?
21. PB 21

    1 August 2017 at 10:28 am

    So they had no confidence that Little, on the campaign trail, could out perform English, at least to the extent that voters would take Labour back to the mid thirties. This could be a fair assumption I suppose. There hasn’t been too many signs that indicate that he could. Can Jacinda? Possibly, the Labour policies are good – they need to be sold she may be better than Little at that. English is clearly not popular so there is swinging room there. But for me as a Labour supporter this just feels sad and I hope that infighting and poor support of Andrew Little isn’t behind this but rather it shows the determination, and the importance to many Kiwis, that Labour have to win the upcoming election.
22. Brutus Iscariot 22

    1 August 2017 at 10:30 am

    It’s not a bad combination actually. Jacinda has the appeal to bring back votes from the Greens, and Davis can shore up the Maori vote and ensure the extinction of the Maori Party.
    • Union city greens 22.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:59 am

      Interestingly enough, it was the likes of Ardern and Robertson, and their influence in labour, that turned my red vote green in the first place.
23. Tamati Tautuhi 23

    1 August 2017 at 10:30 am

    National must be rubbing their hands with glee, I can see a lot of Labour supporters shifting their support to NZF & the Greens.
    • The Lone Haranguer 23.1

      1 August 2017 at 11:43 am

      Why would the Nats be rubbing their hands with glee if the LW block of votes was bouncing around amongst the same three players that it was last week?

      If anything, I see this as a negative for the Nats, as I see that Peters will be better able to claim hes the next righful PM (the best experienced one) from the LW block.

      I see Labour leadership as being way better able to swallow that particular dead rat, than the current National leadership.
24. Philj 24

    1 August 2017 at 10:30 am

    Job done RNZ, Mike Williams and Matt Hooten
25. ianmac 25

    1 August 2017 at 10:31 am

    Very sad. Bugger!
    Will the next poll continue the Media hunt?
    If Jacinda is the new Leader she will be the 2nd woman elected to PM after Helen.
26. Cemetery Jones 26

    1 August 2017 at 10:31 am

    What an absolute fucking disaster.
27. Whispering Kate 27

    1 August 2017 at 10:34 am

    Little put it in a nutshell when he said they hadn’t been able to get their message across. The MSM are hugely to blame for this, in the pay of the right wing and never giving them space in interviews to articulate their policies, heckling the Labour politicians like a bunch of crows (as somebody said earlier on this site.)

    The rump of the Rogernomes in Labour need to be purged and quickly, I cannot see Jacinda letting that happen. Right now Green is the new Labour, Little hasn’t had the support he needs and Labour incumbants seem to prefer to be on the opposition benches. Don’t they hear what their true Labour voters want from them – they don’t want more of the same old same old.

    Don’t underestimate the dark arts of this National Government either, they’re definitely in this somewhere.
28. r0b 28

    1 August 2017 at 10:35 am

    I’m going to go against the mood here and say this is not a disaster.

    Andrew Little, good man, many thanks to him.

    But whatever Labour was doing wasn’t working, and Little doomed himself when he speculated about resigning. The media’s just going to tear you apart after that.

    Jacinda is a genuinely new generation, and a chance of a way forward, all the best to her.
    • weka 28.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:39 am

      I also think it doesn’t have to be a disaster, but much depends on whether the RW of Labour gain ascendancy now. Nash was on the radio yesterday speaking against the Greens.

      Ardern doesn’t strike me as RW, but Mike Williams being in the thick of it doesn’t bode well.

      edited.
      • greywarshark 28.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 11:36 am

        Yes Andrew talking about resigning. He would have been better to have taken an afternoon off, sat in a pink room, read something light that would make him laugh, have some cups of tea, crackers and fruit and feed his spirit. Then he could bounce back. He had just got so worn down and the whole political circus is dynamic, thorny and not at all enjoyable.

        When he suggested that as a possibility the media were obliged to press him to use the opportunity to find out what was going on.

        Mike Williams was announcing it like a good little turncoat on radio with Matthew Hooton this a.m. I understand Mike’s claim to fame was how to get more money for Labour by giving people envelopes for donations like churches do. Probably I am wrong, but what I have heard doesn’t impress. He strikes me as similar to Steve Joyce who is a sharp deal maker, that’s his profession.
    • ianmac 28.2

      1 August 2017 at 10:40 am

      And rob I guess Labour could still win if Winston throws in his lot which already was the risk anyway.
      • You_Fool 28.2.1

        1 August 2017 at 11:00 am

        Actually more chance of PM Winston by going with Labour now….

        NZF/Grn/Lab (in that order) = PM Peters
    • Gabby 28.3

      1 August 2017 at 10:41 am

      How will she cope with Sniggering Guyon?
    • marty mars 28.4

      1 August 2017 at 10:49 am

      Come on – when is it a disaster? Maybe this lukewarm response from some in labour is a big part of their problem.
    • Siobhan 28.5

      1 August 2017 at 10:54 am

      According to The NZ Herald…”Ardern has steadily risen in preferred Prime Minister polls – out-performing Little – and is the highest-ranked Opposition MP by chief executives surveyed in the Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom.”

      My pick is ‘The Media’, including Guyon, will be kind to Jacinda, so despite this being a slow moving train wreck, it may work out for the best.

      Unless ofcourse you want a Left wing Labour Party…in which case we may have to wait a while.
29. Stuff The Politicians 29

    1 August 2017 at 10:36 am

    The Labour party must step up and fight fire with fire..

    Ever Leader , including Helen Clarke has had to endure so much shit slung at them from the Dirty mongrel Nats.
    There method is to under mine Labour from the top and so far it is working.

    Labour cannot let this to continue.

    How many good people have Labour lost now ?
    • Muttonbird 29.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:38 am

      Jacinda Ardern is not a fighter.
      • mosa 29.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 11:20 am

        I have watched Jacinda for a long time now and she has never seemed that strong.
        Sure she has appeal but is she a leader ?

        Kelvin Davis has that mongrel factor so it will be an interesting combination if the that’s the way the vote goes.

        There is something about being the MP for Mt Albert………
    • Anne 29.2

      1 August 2017 at 10:40 am

      Sitting in front of me is a donation form from Labour. Filled it in yesterday. Planned to donate $500. It’s been screwed up and is now in the waste paper basket. Labour have lost a $500 donation. Never mind, I can buy some new lounge curtains instead.
      • weka 29.2.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:41 am

        I know you are solid Labour Anne, but consider that supporting the Greens at this point might motivate Labour to sort its shit out.
      • ianmac 29.2.2

        1 August 2017 at 10:42 am

        Hang on Anne. Curtains could wait till after September. We will fight harder.
      • indiana 29.2.3

        1 August 2017 at 10:44 am

        If only the trade unions could have done the same thing with their donation form…hopefully they will do their due diligence and better determine their ROI in the future, for their members sake.
      • Sam C 29.2.4

        1 August 2017 at 10:44 am

        It would have been a waste of $500 no matter what the result of today’s caucus meeting was.

        [lprent: Go away troll. Banned for 4 months. ]
      • Louis 29.2.5

        1 August 2017 at 2:15 pm

        This has come too late in the game and I wont be wasting any more of my money either Anne.
30. RC 30

    1 August 2017 at 10:37 am

    Stupid. Now they will surely lose and destroy Jacinda in the process. All that was needed was to show some Mongrel instead of being a Jelly Fish.
    • Draco T Bastard 30.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:53 am

      True.

      If Little had continued on with the same passion that had the RWNJs calling him Angry Andy he’d probably still be there and Labour would be polling higher.
      • RC 30.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 11:02 am

        He should have called a live press conference for 6pm, announced his populist policies, call Bill English “more wooden than Pinocchio” and then say he was staying on as Labor party leader. Free air time and National put on suicide watch.
31. r0b 31

    1 August 2017 at 10:41 am

    I hope you’ll reconsider Anne, the people still need a change of government. (I’ll match your donation).

    Unless the lounge curtains are really awful of course. I still have nightmares about the curtains in my first flat. The 70s were a dark, dark time.
    • weka 31.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:42 am

      It’s the 1970s carpet that gets me.
      • r0b 31.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:43 am

        Migraine city.
        • weka 31.1.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 10:44 am

          not sure the 80s was an improvement tbh. Is there a political metaphor developing here?
          • r0b 31.1.1.1.1

            1 August 2017 at 10:45 am

            Perhaps there is – a masters thesis for someone just waiting to take it up!
            • weka 31.1.1.1.1.1

              1 August 2017 at 10:48 am

              something about window dressing vs the real deal. As BM points out below, the curtains nowadays disintegrate in sunlight.
              • r0b …

                1 August 2017 at 10:51 am

                Being from Dunedin, I couldn’t possibly comment on that.
                • weka …

                  1 August 2017 at 10:52 am

                  Lol. I’m sure I’ve seen the sun down there before.
                  • r0b …

                    1 August 2017 at 10:53 am

                    Shhh! I’m trying to keep the Aucklanders away…
                    • weka …

                      1 August 2017 at 10:55 am

                      rofl, me too!
32. WILD KATIPO 32

    1 August 2017 at 10:42 am

    Well it will be a Labour led govt this September. Why?… no great insight barring Jacinda will go for Deputy and Kelvin will accept the PM role.

    And Winston Peters will be part of the coalition because he and Kelvin get along .

    The Greens will be on board but their rising star will be tempered slightly by both Davis and Peters.
    • weka 32.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:43 am

      Unless the Greens go hard and follow up on their breaking left over welfare with some other inspiring policy and positioning.
      • WILD KATIPO 32.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 10:53 am

        Which both the new leader of Labour and NZ First would be foolish to oppose because it will be part of the ticket that enables the coalition in the first place.
        • garibaldi 32.1.1.1

          1 August 2017 at 11:27 am

          What if Hone takes TTT? Is Kelvin high enough on the list? Personally I would love Hone to win.
          • Craig H 32.1.1.1.1

            1 August 2017 at 2:16 pm

            Kelvin is not currently on the Labour List.
            • In Vino 32.1.1.1.1.1

              1 August 2017 at 10:52 pm

              Now that he is DP, watch that change.
    • mosa 32.2

      1 August 2017 at 11:25 am

      The Greens are Labours conscience in any governing arrangement.
33. Anne 33

    1 August 2017 at 10:44 am

    I will be considering it weka @29.2.1. I can’t speak for others but Labour have let me down. Thanks for your support.
    • weka 33.1

      1 August 2017 at 10:47 am

      Well I’m feeling for all you strong Labour members and supporters today. Lots of good people in Labour and from the outside losing Little seems like betrayal in a way (although I think Ardern has potential too).
    • WILD KATIPO 33.2

      1 August 2017 at 10:56 am

      Feel pretty much the same , Anne…this is what I wrote over at The Daily Blog …

      Totally pissed off.

      We just lost a decent honest candidate for Prime Minister.

      Because of vicious subversive wankers both within the media and inside the Labour party itself.

      Now more than ever before Labour needs to cull these scum bastards out of that party.
34. Michael who failed Civics 34

    1 August 2017 at 10:54 am

    The problem wasn’t Little, it is Labour’s disconnection with the electorate. I think the best Labour can hope for now is to hold its Party Vote in the low 20s and build on it for 2020.
    • garibaldi 34.1

      1 August 2017 at 11:29 am

      You would have to be bloody thick not to believe the media played a major role in this Michael.
35. patricia bremner 35

    1 August 2017 at 10:54 am

    Don’t throw Andrew’s hard work and honesty on the rubbish heap.

    That was my first response as I was in grief.

    But, he is supporting Jacinda.

    If we valued his judgement and work, we should do the same.

    As he said “This isn’t about me. It is about the people out there who need us.”

    Don’t let Hooten Farrar Gower Quin et al win.

    Keep calm and Left.

    Anne, buy blankets for the homeless if you can’t donate.

    Be true to our beliefs.
    • savenz 35.1

      1 August 2017 at 11:02 am

      Granny Herald has a big promo on bullying, and then every election relentlessly bullys the Labour leader.

      Gower should be made to resign.
    • kane656 35.2

      1 August 2017 at 11:02 am

      Totally agree Patricia, this is a time for cool heads.
    • Anne 35.3

      1 August 2017 at 11:32 am

      Have a bag of second hand but still in good condition blankets to take to the local Salvation Army depot. Thanks for reminding me its time I took them patricia. 🙂
36. millsy 36

    1 August 2017 at 10:56 am

    Labour really fucked itself now.

    And Jacinda will pay the price for her impatience.
    • WILD KATIPO 36.1

      1 August 2017 at 11:08 am

      Jacinda hasn’t been impatient.

      It was simply the deceptiveness and treachery of the neo liberals- the ABC brigade. It was that ilk that leaked the UMR polls to the media. Of that there is no question.

      They are like bloated, sluggish crocodiles waiting at the waters edge to ambush . They work in with the Dirty Politics operatives as a matter of course. They want no change. And are quite prepared to stomp all over the hundreds of thousands of voters wishes who wanted change .

      That’s how treacherous they are.

      There is no bargaining with them , no reasoning with them and they will not stop until they kill off any movement towards any true social democracy. Therefore there needs to be a cull . A cull to make the waters safe again.
37. kane656 37

    1 August 2017 at 10:56 am

    Like it or not, we are living in a world where the celebrity and whoever and whatever they endorse will prosper. I am loathed to use the Kardashians as an example but pretty much sums up the situation. Style over substance.

    Little is a good man, with a good heart and still believe he has something to contribute to New Zealand – perhaps in a backroom or ministerial post if he wants to. I guess the swing voters, the young and the MSM didn’t find his personality appealing enough to be leader or Prime Minister – at least compared to JK. The millenials are voting and by in large voted for JK rather than the National Party. No matter what Little (or even Cuniliffe) did, it was never enough.

    However, with Adern there, Labour does have a chance. She is has good core Labour values, is active outside of politics, has presence amongst young people and most importantly, the MSM loves her. I really do believe she can make a difference if she wants to. And this should be our objective.

    Clear thinking is what’s required here. Let’s not get overly-emotional. Back Labour (or the Greens if that’s your preference) to the hilt. Our aim is to change the government.

    By the way, thank you Andrew Little for your leadership. We still need you!
    • kane656 37.1

      1 August 2017 at 11:13 am

      Of course I meant Cuniliffe and Shearer…
38. Ffloyd 38

    1 August 2017 at 11:02 am

    Will be pulling my membership from Labour. Sad beyond belief.
    • WILD KATIPO 38.1

      1 August 2017 at 11:10 am

      No , we would be better to campaign to get the neo liberal elements who are causing all this inertia expelled.
    • Jason 38.2

      1 August 2017 at 11:14 am

      I feel the same. My money is staying in my pocket . Is the Labour brand damaged beyond repair and is it time to seriously consider a new party for the left? I’d seriously consider supporting a new grass roots centre left party.
      • One Anonymous Bloke 38.2.1

        1 August 2017 at 11:31 am

        grass roots centre left

        😆

        Best oxymoron ever.
39. Jeremy 39

    1 August 2017 at 11:10 am

    Incredibly stupid move.
    My vote now goes to the Greens.
40. RRM 40

    1 August 2017 at 11:18 am

    Little seemed like a decent guy to me. Just not quite right for that job.

    Thanks trade unions for your influence and control over who gets to be labour leader. It keeps the party divided and weak, therefore it’s good for New Zealand!
    • greywarshark 40.1

      1 August 2017 at 11:37 am

      RW spin. Watch out you don’t fall over, concern troll.
41. One Anonymous Bloke 41

    1 August 2017 at 12:12 pm

    I suppose that since we now have a brand new right wing definition of “resign”, Little will still be drawing his party leader’s salary for the next seven weeks.
42. mary_a 42

    1 August 2017 at 12:15 pm

    I feel Mr Little has been badly betrayed. He did his best.

    A point. Wasn’t it the Labour membership that elected Andrew Little to lead Labour? So where is their input here?
    • Craig H 42.1

      1 August 2017 at 12:49 pm

      Caucus only if there is a leadership vote within 3 months of an election.
      • indiana 42.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 1:25 pm

        easiest way to stiff the union vote…but perhaps people got sick of Little’s dad jokes.
      • mary_a 42.1.2

        1 August 2017 at 1:57 pm

        Thanks for that info Craig (42.1). I forgot about the time frame involved leading up to an election.
43. Ffloyd 43

    1 August 2017 at 12:20 pm

    On the plus side. Can’t wait to see Madam Bennets face.
    • mary_a 43.1

      1 August 2017 at 2:00 pm

      @ Ffloyd (43) … Madame Bennett will not be happy at all at Jacinda becoming leader of a major political party, while she is only deputy to the wart Blinglish … hee hee 🙂
44. Kevin 44

    1 August 2017 at 12:28 pm

    More dumb-cuntery from Labour. There is a surprise.

    At least it has forced me to make up my mind now.

    Two ticks for Greens for the first time ever.
45. mosa 45

    1 August 2017 at 12:32 pm

    We are seeing the kiwi version of Canada’s Justin Trudeau in Jacinda Adern.

    This next eight weeks is going to blow all assumptions and predictions so far out of the water.
    • marty mars 45.1

      1 August 2017 at 1:27 pm

      Yep I think you are calling it mosa – a new day has dawned
    • Cinny 45.2

      1 August 2017 at 1:51 pm

      100% agree with you Mosa, Marty is bang on, you’ve called it for sures.
    • weka 45.3

      1 August 2017 at 1:57 pm

      Nice comment mosa. I’m not fond of predictions but I also have the sense that things are so volatile that this election could go any way.
      • One Anonymous Bloke 45.3.1

        1 August 2017 at 3:41 pm

        I’ve been suppressing my instincts on the ground that they’re probably just wishful thinking. Suffice it to say I have been wishful thinking along the same lines 🙂
46. Delia 46

    1 August 2017 at 12:43 pm

    They will go up markedly in the polls. Yes Andrew is a fantastic man, but he could not resonate with the public and the press continually belittled him…Jacinda is a different kettle of fish and they will be perceived as bullies if they have a go at her. Metiria is chuffed, she loves the thought of working with Jacinda..that is just one person. Key was a machine, so is Jacinda.
47. Delia 47

    1 August 2017 at 12:43 pm

    They will go up markedly in the polls. Yes Andrew is a fantastic man, but he could not resonate with the public and the press continually belittled him…Jacinda is a different kettle of fish and they will be perceived as bullies if they have a go at her. Metiria is chuffed, she loves the thought of working with Jacinda..that is just one person. Key was a machine, so is Jacinda.
48. Stuart Munro 48

    1 August 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Well the right have succeeded in subverting the democratic process yet again. Christmas for NZF I guess, and House Tyrell (the Greens) will keep ‘growing stronger’.
    The corrupt MSM and the dirty tricks crowd are never going to give us a break – if we want to get out from under these worthless numpties we’re going to have to do something different.
49. joe90 49

    1 August 2017 at 1:21 pm

    A thousand words.

    http://i.imgur.com/ffCiYOn.gif
50. Kay 50

    1 August 2017 at 1:25 pm

    A tad concerned about potential consequences of course.

    But thoroughly relieved there will finally be a break from the relentless beneficiary bashing now that the media have a new ball to play with.
    • weka 50.1

      1 August 2017 at 1:27 pm

      good point.
51. AmaKiwi 51

    1 August 2017 at 1:30 pm

    “Personality” wins elections. Policies are secondary.

    There are many kind words on this page about Andrew Little. But he could not project the personality image that excited the public. I hope and pray Jacinda will do better.

    To those arguing the pros and cons of various Labour policies I say, “Stop focusing on policy disagreements because ANY Labour/Green government will be outstanding compared to National.”

    The Left MUST win! Pull together now!
    • greywarshark 51.1

      1 August 2017 at 2:08 pm

      Dream the impossible dream? What if you could have a great personality and strong and good people-policies and good financial wisdom.
      Ooh Ooh wouldn’t it be luverly. All I want…..
52. Cinny 52

    1 August 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Talk back is alive with happy people ringing to say they will now be voting labour. MMP for the win 😀

    I’d like to see Andrew get a great portfolio for being such an incredible team player, so impressed with how it has all gone down, wow, huge up’s to Andrew and Labour.

    Jacinda will be leading question time today asking Bill about the housing crisis. There are some stellar questions on the list 😀

    National will be freaking out, wonder how Paula is doing today? fun times lmao

    Jacinda absolutely mesmerizes an audience, would highly recommend anyone going to see her speak live.

    Dang the leaders debates are going to be all on like donkey kong, Bill v’s Jacinda… he’s toast.

    The day after the spring equinox, great change will come to our lands 😀
    • greywarshark 52.1

      1 August 2017 at 2:05 pm

      You’re a bright spark on a cloudy day Cinny. Hope all is well as you say.
      You’re analysis sounds as if its possible.
53. JanM 53

    1 August 2017 at 1:42 pm

    I think Andrew Little is a man of great substance and integrity, and his saying that it wasn’t all about him, but the people of this country proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt. I’m sure Jacinda thinks highly of him and will make him something substantial in her cabinet.

    Sadly, the advent of TV changed the face of politics for all time – people now look for personality appeal and the message is often secondary. Andrew just lacked the ‘it’ factor, which Jacinda ( and also Kelvin, for that matter) has in spades. If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. .And for the sake of our people who are suffering needlessly with bad policies for health, education and housing (just for starters) stop navel gazing about who’s right, who’s left, who loves whom and who doesn’t and just understand that the left may not be perfect but they are so much better than what we’ve got. We need fight like hell to get these ne’er-do-well incumbents off the treasury benches.

    Kia kaha

    Kia kotahi
54. silvertuatara 54

    1 August 2017 at 1:46 pm

    Jacinda will make a fantastic prime minister, and I am also really happy to see Kelvin Davis assume the role of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

    I know of many 40-50 year olds that have the upmost respect in the way Jacinda Adern approaches politics.

    Jacinda has also brought a level of dignity to politics that has not been seen in the last 9 years within the current National Government. Jacinda has stood above personal attacks on her appearance and does not involve herself in petty/ and or dirty politics which is refreshing to see.

    Yet at the same time Jacinda will not back away from asking the hard questions of the current National government, both through the press and within parliament. So if you ask me who I would be comfortable with as being the next female prime minister of New Zealand when comparing Jacinda Adern, with say, National’s Paula Bennett, Nicky Kaye, etc, Jacinda wins easily through her advanced intellect and greater emotional intelligence.

    And I am looking forward to seeing Kelvin Davis’ and Jacinda Adern’s greater prominence resonate in a manner that will be positively embraced by the Maori population as a whole, so that Labour, as part of the wider left movement is seen as a fresh and credible option for support this election so as to displace the National Government who have failed New Zealand’s middle and lower (for which Maori are over represented in) classes over the past 9 years.
    • indiana 54.1

      1 August 2017 at 2:00 pm

      Well at least we know she won’t lose Mt Albert like she lost Auckland Central and Hamilton.
      • In Vino 54.1.1

        1 August 2017 at 11:49 pm

        Cling to your small consolations, Indiana.

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