We will all have to love Auckland. Not love-hate. Love. Because Auckland needs to be given a reason to love the left, if the left are ever to achieve power again.
Including Maori seats and resident list members, it’s about 4035% of Parliament. That big.
Since 2005, the left have been consistently losing seats and MPs to National’s share.
To mirror-image Mickey’s post about the Future Auckland grouping, Auckland’s local political grouping of the left – City Vision – should be able to act as a rehearsal for a future coalition government. That may sound strange until one realizes how tight, powerful and deep the networks between the central and local National hierarchy are already. By November 2016, party politics will be in full effect across Auckland’s Council chamber.
This political shift should reflect Auckland’s own growth and development. Auckland’s protracted change from adolescence to adulthood is underway. The great dual motorway loops complete by early 2017. The City Rail Link starts construction in seven months. Pent up housing demand and CBD revival will see a construction boom for many years to come. New suburbs, new transport systems, and economic growth, as far as is visible from One Tree Hill with the naked eye.
I see a gap for the Greens and Labour here. There should be a meeting of all Green and Labour MPs from Auckland with City Vision. Soon.
For two reasons. Firstly, to prepare for the 2016 and 2017 campaigns as if they are part of a single task. Which they are now. Secondly, the more adventurous bit, to develop a functioning mechanism for the left between Auckland and government. This relationship is the one dynamic absent for nearly two terms now.
If they are to win back power in either Auckland or parliament, in either 2016 or 2017, the left need to network across Auckland even better than the right. How should it be done?
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