The #teamkey personality cult

Written By: - Date published: 9:48 am, June 29th, 2014 - 120 comments
Categories: election 2014, john key, national - Tags:

National’s conference is being held this weekend and some of the details of their campaign have been disclosed.

Firstly it lives and dies on the personality cult that surrounds John Key.  He is National’s strength but also its weakness.  I suspect that from now to the election we will not see him involved in any further attempts to undermine David Cunliffe using underhand or subversive means.  Expect increased use of the right wing blogs however to continue to try and tarnish David’s image and expect Key to veer away from any behaviour which could be branded as manipulative and tricky.

The campaign slogan “Working for New Zealand” is one that Crosby Textor would be proud of.  It is deferential and has a superficial appeal to the working class and ordinary people.  It is also not true unless by “New Zealand” you mean the wealthiest 1%.

National has announced that it will be targeting four Labour seats, Hutt South held by Trevor Mallard, Port Hills held by Ruth Dyson, West Coast held by Damian O’Connor and Palmerston North held by Iain Lees Galloway.  They have already started their campaign for the West Coast with the crudest anti green wedge imaginable.  I am sure they do not think they will win any of these seats.  But they will be intending to scare the local Labour campaigns to focus on the electorate vote campaign.  This would be a mistake if the campaigns were to do so.  We live in an MMP world and the MMP vote will decide who forms the next Government, not individual electorate results.

Of course this consideration also applies to National.  But results will depend on what sort of campaign is run.  As Carmel Sepuloni showed last time in Waitakere it is possible to run a strong electorate campaign and maximise the party vote at the same time.

National is also borrowing the language of the left and saying that a low turnout will hurt it.  The rationale as presented by John Key is that in National held seats the drop in turnout last time was high.  If this is correct then I would put it down to disheartened Labour voters who without a turn out the vote effort by the local electorate organisation simply gave up and failed to exercise their democratic rights.  National wants a low turnout, the lower the better.

Coalition options will be vital.  It appears more and more likely that the Conservatives will be offered McCully’s head on a plate before nominations close. This is a risk.  Craig is seriously scary to a wide selection of the community and joining him at National’s hip will put some people off.  This is why they continue to claim that Labour will be dependant on the Internet Mana Party getting up.  There is a difference however.  Labour has made it clear that it will not enter into any negotiations with any other party until after the election.  National meanwhile is willing to do whatever it can to ensure that it holds onto power but will trot out slogans not to defend its position but so that it can plant the idea that Labour does it too.

If you wanted proof on how scary any arrangement with the Conservatives is, a recent Reid Research TV3 poll showed 60.1 percent of voters questioned didn’t want a deal.  When it came to National supporters, 49.3 percent were against it.  National may be damned if the Conservative Party fails to make Parliament and equally damned if it gives the CP a seat.

And National has a new social media hub at teamkey.co.nz.  According to Stephen Joyce this hub will collect National’s social media traffic.  The site appears to have similar capabilities to Nationbuilder which has been used with effect in recent electoral battles.

So National continues to pin its hopes on John Key and a well resourced campaign.  It will be hoping that Key is not subject to any intense scrutiny.  For instance it will prefer that he is not asked the question why the period after the tea pot tape scandal erupted and not the period after  the Christchurch earthquake or the Pike River mine disaster was his worst week as Prime Minister.

And National supporters will be praying that John Key does not trip or falter during the campaign.  Because clearly there is no plan B.

120 comments on “The #teamkey personality cult ”

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  1. ianmac 1
    29 June 2014 at 10:02 am

    John Key was reported as saying that “the minor parties in his Government had very little influence anyway.” Except for ACT of course.

    • Ronnie Chow 1.1
      29 June 2014 at 7:39 pm

      All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.Go David!

    • You_Fool 1.2
      30 June 2014 at 8:26 am

      They do have very little influence, they are just outlets for Nat policies that they are too ashamed to claim as their own

  2. thecard 2
    29 June 2014 at 10:43 am

    Agreed the Nats plan is clearly very much don’t spook the horses and please vote for that nice Mr Key.

    Labour must counter that with more than

    1. Elect Cunliffe as leader
    2. ? + multiple gaffes
    3. Win the election
  3. blue leopard 3
    29 June 2014 at 10:47 am

    Every time I hear that term ‘teamkey’ I think of ‘turnkey’.

    Interesting, because the word has a few meanings:

    As a plural (turn keys) it means a person who has charge of the keys of a prison

    Another meaning: An arrangement under which a private contractor designs and constructs a project, building, etc., for sale when completely ready for occupancy or operation: turn-key housing, turnkey contract.

    Combined: Our jailers who are getting our country ready for sale?

    • cogito 3.1
      29 June 2014 at 1:54 pm

      “turnkey”…. or maybe even “turncoat”….. selling out NZ and eating away at the soul and fabric of this country.

      • Chooky 3.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 2:16 pm

        +100 blue leopard and cogito

        …and cult figures dont usually figure in Democracy….they are usually associated with autocracy , tyranny and skullduggery

        …there is usually a shadowside to cult figures which media are employed and persuaded to ignore ….until too much damage has been done to democracy and ordinary people’s rights and the country !

      • blue leopard 3.1.2
        29 June 2014 at 7:47 pm

        @ Cogito,
        Yes ‘turncoats’ definitely comes to mind!
        …because that is what they are….(in case anyone was in any doubt)

  4. fisiani 4
    29 June 2014 at 10:58 am

    TeamKey is the biggest political team in NZ. Since every portfolio is showing growth and improvement it is a formidable team with a message of strong stable government led by the best prime minister in history. I see a great future if people party vote National.

    • Michael who failed Civics 4.1
      29 June 2014 at 11:08 am

      For whom? The one percenters, certainly, although you are not one of them. The ten percenters, almost certainly, although again you are not one of them. The twenty to thirty percenters, probably, although you are probably not one of them. The fifty percenters, possibly, although you are possibly not one of them. The rest of us, certainly not, although you are very likely to be one of them. Although you intend to vote against your interests, and invite us to do so as well, do not be surprised if we decline your offer.

      • blue leopard 4.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 11:11 am

        +1 Michael well said

        • Once was Tim 4.1.1.1
          29 June 2014 at 1:54 pm

          🙂
          Da Fizz is always ready to swallow the cool aid huh? It’s got plenty of sugar and its a fucking sight easier than having to bother with critical thought processes.
          …… next
          Jamie Lee darling – How ya doing bro?

    • Brian 4.2
      29 June 2014 at 11:21 am

      HeeeHeee – thanks for that – I like a good laugh on a Sunday morning!

    • Skinny 4.3
      29 June 2014 at 12:40 pm

      The National Party is too reliant on John Key, most people would view the use of # team Key as over done. It is great I love it out campaigning cheers Stephen Joyce.

      Now all I say is “look the National Party boasting of the use of ‘Key’ in all their campaigning, they may aswell change name to ‘The One Trick Pony Party’ that gets a laugh and comments like arrogant, desperate and if you take him out as leader and who going to lead them, dodgy Collins, nah probably Gerry Brownlee which gets a bigger laugh.”

    • cogito 4.4
      29 June 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Did you lift that from a speech by the Fuhrer? Sieg Heil.

      Nek minnit he burnt down the Reichstag.

    • politikiwi 4.5
      29 June 2014 at 2:55 pm

      “the best prime minister in history”

      Your knees must be dreadful sore…

      Honestly, anyone who thinks a man who’s presided over the accumulation of the largest debt in NZ’s history, who’s left 200k+ kids in poverty, is working on destroying the education system and bows to foreign powers at the drop of a hat is the best prime minister in history needs a lobotomy.

    • Clemgeopin 4.6
      29 June 2014 at 3:08 pm

      National is a party working for the wealthy. If you don’t see that then either you are very wealthy or just a sucked in fool.

    • You_Fool 4.7
      30 June 2014 at 8:28 am

      Is it just me or is #teamkey trying to jump on a social meme from about 5 years ago? Makes Nat seem old and tired and out of touch to me…

  5. dimebag russell 5
    29 June 2014 at 11:08 am

    team key is like team new zealand.
    taking water and going down fast!
    I haven’t won a scratch and lose for months!
    why is that ?

  6. veutoviper 6
    29 June 2014 at 11:11 am

    It will be hoping that Key is not subject to any intense scrutiny. For instance it will prefer that he is not asked the question why the period after the tea pot tape scandal erupted and not the period after the Christchurch earthquake or the Pike River mine disaster was his worst week as Prime Minister.

    Re the tea pot tape scandal, I am no fan of Duncan Garner, but over recent days he has spoken at length on RadioLive and written an article on Stuff giving more detail of his and TV3’s involvement in this episode.

    Stuff article – http://t.co/yMYDq8nOFT

    RadioLive audio – http://t.co/U9BXAw262q

    In both, Garner claims that Key was more concerned about whether he had used swear words in the ‘private conversation’ than the actual content. In the Stuff article, Garner also suggests that the Nats are under very strict instructions to avoid talk and situations that could lead to a repeat of the teatape situation.

    The RadioLive audio provides more insight to how Garner acquired the tape; and the problems with its quality and the lengths TV3 went to in order to decipher it (syching with the silent video, lip readers etc).

    Of greater interest to me, however, is Garner saying that Key rang him every night to see whether TV3 were going to release the tape (repeatedly referred to in the audio but not covered in the Stuff article). A good indicator of just how close the relationship between Key and the media was, and probably still is.

    • idlegus 6.1
      29 June 2014 at 11:23 am

      i cannot recall the detail but once tv3 6 oclock news ran with something slightly critical of the nats & by the time the story finished one of the talking heads said something like ‘we just had a phone call from stephen joyce & he has given us some corrections’, incredible stuff! this is about 2 years ago.

      • Vicky32 6.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 2:37 pm

        That would not surprise me idlegus, as TV3 has always given the impression that they’re in NACT’s pocket,
        Vicky

  7. SukieDamson 7
    29 June 2014 at 11:13 am

    Good question.

    A: because for honest John, being caught saying f**k a few times is a disaster that far outweighs Christchurch or pike river.

  8. cogito 8
    29 June 2014 at 11:24 am

    Over 30,000 views on that Trade Me auction for the book on Key, and not one of the many comments is pro-Key. Begs the question of how popular Key actually is and whether National have misjudged the public mood re having a Key personality cult.

    Surely Kiwis have seen enough of his dodgy dealings by now not to be fooled.

    • infused 8.1
      29 June 2014 at 4:03 pm

      Why would National supporters bother?

      • cogito 8.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 5:34 pm

        Hopefully they’ll take the same apathetic attitude on Sept 20th as well. LOL.

      • Clemgeopin 8.1.2
        29 June 2014 at 9:31 pm

        Why not? Aren’t the National supporters who are supposed to be 50% of the voters not loyal enough or don’t they have enough guts to show support for Key?

        • You_Fool 8.1.2.1
          30 June 2014 at 8:33 am

          Not to be a kill joy, but the likelihood is that the Nat supporters are all too old to understand computers or the internet. I mean did you see the piece on the news yesterday where they were asking if #teamkey was a cult of personality, I don’t think I saw an under 50 being questioned at all.

  9. fender 9
    29 June 2014 at 11:30 am

    “Working for Families New Zealand”….” communism fascism by stealth design”..

  10. Maureen 10
    29 June 2014 at 11:41 am

    Had to laugh, so National has no plan B? Which plan is Labour on exactly?

  11. dimebag russell 11
    29 June 2014 at 11:45 am

    Straight down the mainline.

  12. taxicab 12
    29 June 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Vainglorious Key may have just given the left the perfect oportunity to expose just how much their re-election chances depend on the cult of Key . If as I suspect the billboards will have a picture of Key with the statement “VOTE TEAM KEY ” adhesive labels attached next to the statement reading “ITS ALL ABOUT ME” just about says it all.

    • fisiani 12.1
      29 June 2014 at 1:35 pm

      Another Green vandal. What part of defacing billboards is democracy?

      • blue leopard 12.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 1:39 pm

        Well considering the actions of this current government I would have thought vandalism was all the rage…..

      • Tracey 12.1.2
        29 June 2014 at 1:39 pm

        what part of further delay to ecan elections is democracy?

        What part of veto is democracy

        What part of constantly misleading the electorate is democracy

        • fisiani 12.1.2.1
          29 June 2014 at 1:42 pm

          Are you defending vandalism or just trying to deflect?

          • blue leopard 12.1.2.1.1
            29 June 2014 at 3:46 pm

            Neither by the looks. Sounds like Tracey is detailing and criticizing vandalism to me – is it really so hard for you to understand what others are saying Fis?

          • Tracey 12.1.2.1.2
            29 June 2014 at 6:17 pm

            are you now objecting to deflection or just trying to stop your head from exploding from the presentation of facts unsanitised by team key

            • Akldnut 12.1.2.1.2.1
              30 June 2014 at 12:17 am

              fisiani What part of defacing billboards is democracy?

              What part of spying on New Zealanders democratic?
              What part of taking away our rights to protest is democratic?
              What part of ignoring the people of NZ and carrying on with asset sales is democratic?

              Are you defending vandalism or just trying to deflect?

              Vandalism is dismantling our society and fucking everyone over in the process.
              If you compare a few fucking signs with what they’re doing to us only an idiot would argue in their interests.

              Get with the big picture fuzzy

      • taxicab 12.1.3
        29 June 2014 at 1:54 pm

        Not green but interesting you should rush to call vandal when it is a truthful statement of fact !! If it is not the truth then what is it about “the party” maybe “the policies” yeah right!!!!!

        • fisiani 12.1.3.1
          29 June 2014 at 2:20 pm

          The Left always believe they have a right to vandalise National billboards. They believe that the end justifies the means. TeamKey respects freedom of expression and does not vandalise billboards.

          • fdx 12.1.3.1.1
            29 June 2014 at 2:28 pm

            I will make an extra effort now to modify said billboards so they come across more clearly.

            • fisiani 12.1.3.1.1.1
              29 June 2014 at 2:39 pm

              Modify is another word for vandalism. The Left have to rely on vandalism to cover their unpopularity. Modifying or vandalising billboards is criminal damage and not acceptable behaviour. The billboard is the property of the National Party. The police are aware of this. Do you want a criminal record?

              • vto …
                29 June 2014 at 2:47 pm

                Reform is another word for vandalism. The Right have to rely on ‘reform’ to thieve from the hard works of previous generations in building this country. The Right’s behaviour is not acceptable in driving increasing wealth into the hands of the 1% – this is the real crime. The only reason they get away with it is because they control the jackboots.

                Everyone should deface a National party billboard because they are misleading and deceptive.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  29 June 2014 at 2:57 pm

                  Drive steel spikes into National Party billboards before loggers come and cut them down.

                • Nakiman …
                  29 June 2014 at 3:57 pm

                  “Everyone should deface a National party billboard because they are misleading and deceptive.”

                  It is easy to see why feral scum don’t like police surveillance,they think crime is justifiably. I am beginning to see why so many on the left don’t like the GCSB, its bad for crims.

                  • Michael who failed Civics …
                    29 June 2014 at 9:53 pm

                    I hope GCSB are more usefully employed than staking out National party billboards. OTOH, it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s what they’ve been ordered to do, or even if they’re doing it in their own free time. Spies are a necessary evil in every society but ours show an unhealthy propensity to act as a branch of the National Party. It’s time for a clean out.

              • ropata …
                29 June 2014 at 3:21 pm

                defacing billboards won’t change anyone’s mind… volunteer to help your local lab/green candidate instead

              • Craig Glen Eden …
                29 June 2014 at 5:52 pm

                Please last election I caught a team of guys while putting up Nat signs having ago at Labour signs at about 1230 am in Block house bay they almost shat themselves when from out of the darkness I yeld what the hell do you think you are doing a mate. Then for the next two hours I followed two cars around West Auckland who were trying to damage Labour and the Greens signs we never got their number plates but this year I intend to. So you can drop the pious crap fisi.

              • Tracey …
                29 June 2014 at 6:19 pm

                speaking of modifying. I see the asset sales funds promised to be for lowering debt, health and education, are going on roads.

              • fdx …
                29 June 2014 at 9:36 pm

                Do you want a bib and a warm bottle Fizzy?
                And for the record I am neither ‘left’ or ‘right’ but have a strong sense of what is right or wrong. As for a criminal record? Well it’s a bit late for that.

          • KJT 12.1.3.1.2
            29 June 2014 at 2:39 pm

            No. Just a country!

          • Daveosaurus 12.1.3.1.3
            29 June 2014 at 7:12 pm

            Except when they do.

            Fuzzy, you’re just a lying little scumbag.

          • Akldnut 12.1.3.1.4
            30 June 2014 at 12:24 am

            Small shit mate, why do you waste your time?
            Nothing to see here, move on.

            Wait, hold on! That’s what RWNJ’s do, they focus on the small stuff and make a big deal out of it.

            Granny Herald political advisor?

        • taxicab 12.1.3.2
          29 June 2014 at 2:24 pm

          But if it true then what is the crime ?? He has made it about HIM . Why not own it then

      • karol 12.1.4
        29 June 2014 at 6:19 pm

        We won’t be seeing defaced Cunliffe billboards this election, then?… unlike Cunliffe’s billboards around New Lynn last election?

      • You_Fool 12.1.5
        30 June 2014 at 8:35 am

        I would argue that it is part of freedom of speech, and if Key was as universally popular as you would like to think then vandalism of his signs will not be that bad…

  13. Fi 13
    29 June 2014 at 12:36 pm

    “Working for New Zealand’s 1%”

  14. Tracey 14
    29 June 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Lolly scramble politics for the regions via roads.

    One thing is certain. Labour has long known that national without key is back in 2002 territory. 30% of its own voters would go if key went… That is NOT a victory for policy.

    • Nakiman 14.1
      29 June 2014 at 3:41 pm

      “One thing is certain. Labour has long known that national without key is back in 2002 territory. 30% of its own voters would go if key went… That is NOT a victory for policy.”

      I guess Labour would like to think that since they are polling below 30% and have not had a competent leader since Clark

      • Tracey 14.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 6:22 pm

        I am not labour

      • You_Fool 14.1.2
        30 June 2014 at 9:34 am

        Also it is true. National without Key is the same as recent history Labour without Clarke Clark. It is the danger of having a cult of personality around the leader, but National are heading down that road at full pace

        [lprent: Who were you talking about? John Clarke? Get the names right. Then you don’t get auto-moderated. ]

  15. KJT 15
    29 June 2014 at 1:34 pm

    Well, they can’t exactly campaign on their polices or “achievements”, can they?

    Apart from the ones they copied from Labour and the Greens, of course.

    • blue leopard 15.1
      29 June 2014 at 3:04 pm

      ….and …they’ve even borrowed their slogan from Labour by the sounds – sounds extremely reminiscent of ‘working for families’… No Ideas National strikes again….

      [see Fenders comment @9]

      • KJT 15.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 3:14 pm

        That’s why Fisiani is so funny. It is like training a parrot.

        Don’t any of them have an original thought?

        • blue leopard 15.1.1.1
          29 June 2014 at 3:37 pm

          ….apparently not….

        • Clemgeopin 15.1.1.2
          29 June 2014 at 3:43 pm

          No, just like Key, English and the Nats who are not really smart original thinkers as shown when they simply copied many of the social policies of the previous Labour government!…Policies such as Working for families, Interest free student loans, Kiwi Saver, Kiwi bank, paid parental leave, free doctor’s visits for children etc.
          National adopted these against their for political right wing philosophy purely for political expediency. They then put in many right wing nasty measures on the country!

          I think if these ACT and NAT fools get another term, they will unleash even much many more drastic right wing agenda on the country which will cause long term harm to most of us, except the wealthy, the privileged and the powerful. Why would anyone want that?

          • Wayne 15.1.1.2.1
            30 June 2014 at 8:19 am

            Clemgeopin,

            Mostly because the voters do not believe your scare story that National on 47%+ will bring a “much many more drastic right wing agenda on the country”. The experience of the last 5 1/2 years tells them your scare story is not true.

            Voters can also see that ACT does not dictate the Nats agenda. I know posters here love to say that, but it is demonstrably not true.

            In contrast it is so much easier for the Nats to talk about a Labour/Green/Mana/Internet hydra, when Labour is polling below 30%. In that case Labour is at best 60% of the govt. Who knows what the policy of such a govt would be.

            That is the great advantage for Nat going into an election as obviously more than 90% of a potential centre right govt.Voters basically know what they are going to get from such a govt.

            However, since you always say that the Nats are the most extreme right wing govt ever, I guess you will continue to delude yourself with that.

            • vto 15.1.1.2.1.1
              30 June 2014 at 8:32 am

              Wayne, just recently I saw mention by Bill English of a third term to completely reform, to an extent not seen in NZ history or elsewhere for that matter, the way in which government services and departments are operated and funded.

              This would clearly be a very major development in New Zealand, yet Bill English has not made any public announcement about these ‘planned reforms’. If it is to be a scale intimated by English then he has a responsibility to outline in detail what this is and how it would work so the people of New Zealand can make a decision about whether they want it or not. Before the election.

              Before the election Wayne. Don’t you dare dump such a change on the country post-election without full warning.

              So, what’s the story Wayne?

            • framu 15.1.1.2.1.2
              30 June 2014 at 8:36 am

              “The experience of the last 5 1/2 years tells them your scare story is not true.”

              yeah wayne – thats the funking point – its like youve never had a false sense of security before

              “Voters can also see that ACT does not dictate the Nats agenda. I know posters here love to say that, but it is demonstrably not true.”

              now now wayne – thats not quite right. Many here see nat and act as two faces of the same ideology.

              “In contrast it is so much easier for the Nats to talk about a Labour/Green/Mana/Internet hydra,”

              Talk? – or spread repeated not so subtle suggestions that there are indeed radical reds under your bed? – the bullshit marketting that national are so centre that anything to the left is a commie plot is a utter fabrication and im going to be charitable and assume you already know this.

              And if they had to talk policy the conversation would last very long would it – what have they got this time? – another bullet point list and some sketches on the back of a napkin?

            • miravox 15.1.1.2.1.3
              30 June 2014 at 8:55 am

              so key lied when he said charter schools had to be implemented as part if the coalition agreement with act?

              • Wayne …
                30 June 2014 at 9:49 am

                How big a deal is 5 to 10 charter schools? Pretty much on the margins I would have thought.

                Obviously even small coalition partners get something, but in truth it is not much.

                In contrast a coalition partner that is one third of the govt gets a huge amount, and at this stage we do not know what a Labour/Green/Mana/Internet govt would actually do. It is not as if there at least a general outline of such a deal.

                It matters more when the main party of the group does not have the decisive say.

                • framu …
                  30 June 2014 at 10:07 am

                  “How big a deal is 5 to 10 charter schools? ”

                  when its the first step of the global G.E.R.M. mission its a big deal

                • Tautoko Viper …
                  30 June 2014 at 10:11 am

                  Wayne, the fact that Charter schools get so much more than ordinary public schools is unfair. This reminds me of the Bulk Funding trials in the nineties when those schools in the “trials” were given extra money to help them achieve a better result.
                  Why can’t this “extra” money be put into state schools. 4 or 5 charter schools are 4 or 5 too many.
                  National wants to introduce bulk funding, performance pay, vouchers and increased subsidies to private schools but will not campaign on these. However, if successful in the election, National will implement these policies with relish while sheeting the criticism to Act.

                  A vote for National is a vote for Act policies.
                  A vote for National is a vote towards privatisation of our education system.

                  • Clemgeopin …
                    30 June 2014 at 12:21 pm

                    I agree with your excellent points. I am guessing that if National wins a third term, they will unleash very drastic pro capitalist, pro wealthy and pro-corporate polices as it will be their last golden opportunity to fulfill their ideology and agenda which they were a little careful with due to political expediency and to prevent huge public backlash by throwing a few scraps around for the masses. But we haven’t seen nothing yet!

                    If they do get a third time, I suspect they will move to…

                    [1] Privatise the Kiwi bank.
                    [2] Stop or alter the Kiwi saver top up and the start up $1,000.
                    ]3] Revamp the WFF payments making life harder for the low income families.
                    [4] Introduce interest on student loans.
                    [5] Hike up tertiary fees affecting students from poorer families.
                    [6] Open more and more privately run charter schools, private health and privatised ACC care with generous public funds.
                    [7] Open vast amounts of land and sea for mineral and oil exploitation without sufficient safeguards.
                    [8] Sign the TPP in a hurry without due care, even if it harms us in the long run.
                    [9] Undermine the unions further and dilute worker’s rights even more.
                    [10] Make life more profitable for the wealthy but less so for what Key once referred to as the ‘under class’.

                    That is my guess from what I have seen slowly happen in the last term of this personality cult driven coalition government. I am hoping and think that the majority of people will see through this evil discredited crony capitalist supporting pro wealthy government and vote them out on Sept 20 and help usher in a fair, just, caring and more enlightened Labour led government.

                • blue leopard …
                  30 June 2014 at 10:56 am

                  So good of Wayne to come on here and prove KJT’s, Clemogeopin’s and my point re no original thinking on the right.

                  It is just the same old parrot-like responses from Wayne that you hear repeatedly from right-wing politicians.

                  Just repeat until people think it is true

                  “Mostly because the voters do not believe …”
                  Note it is not about what is or is not occurring – it is about ‘believing’ because it is all about perception – to hell with reality – so long as the right can fool enough people.

                  Poor show Wayne, all you Key acolytes are achieving is to increasingly look like a bunch of Moonies.
                  Thanks again for illustrating the point that myself and others were making.

                  p.s. Polly wanna cracker?

                • miravox …
                  30 June 2014 at 3:55 pm

                  “How big a deal is 5 to 10 charter schools? Pretty much on the margins I would have thought”

                  I think it’s a pretty big deal to implement a multi-million dollar policy that neither party campaigned on and that can change the way education is produced.

                  Your final sentence is interesting too –

                  “It matters more when the main party of the group does not have the decisive say.”

                  So it mattered that National (the main party) had the final say? That brings me back to the original question :

                  Did Key lie when he said charter schools had to be implemented as part of the coalition agreement with ACT?

            • Clemgeopin 15.1.1.2.1.4
              30 June 2014 at 11:00 am

              Key and English have kept some Labour’s social policies because they KNOW that voters, even many of their own RWNjobs, will kick the government out if they tinker with those too much.

              But if they get a third term, which may then be their last, will be their golden opportunity to unleash drastic right wing policies and agenda. Remember when Bill English was caught secretly saying to his supporters at their party conference that he intends to sell the Kiwi Bank, unawares that a microphone was on? After being exposed by the media, Key defended his deputy Bill English. “Well eventually but not now. It’s working. Our supporters get a bit angsty but it’s working,” said English.

              Jim Anderton at that time said, ‘National knows that if they told people upfront they intend to sell Kiwi Bank, no one would vote for them.”

              During this term, National has started the Charter school agenda of the ACT party. Yesterday, ACT president has said that they want to FREE all schools from ministry so that they can ALL opt to become Charter schools. He also said that “we want to increase the subsidy for independent schools”. Cool stuff, right?

              The Labour led coalition does definitely better represent the needs and aspirations of the general population of the entire diverse country while the Nat outfit will primarily be working for the wealthy while throwing some politically convenient scraps around for the less privileged and the less well off.

              Also, in my opinion, the intelligence, integrity, conscience, care and concern for all the people and the country in Mr Cunliffe and the leadership of the progressive parties is any day of a higher quality and more genuine than that found in National in their vision less personality driven party that has now descended primarily into a Key cult party.

              • Wayne …
                30 June 2014 at 3:55 pm

                Well you all have your views on what National would do, but none of you can say what a left leaning government would do.

                And “fair, just, caring and more enlightened” is not a policy prescription.

                After all if you put those words as an aspiration to John Key, he would say, “That is precisely what a government led by me will do”. There might be a minor quibble on the actual policies to achieve that.

                • Clemgeopin …
                  30 June 2014 at 4:54 pm

                  “but none of you can say what a left leaning government would do.”

                  Oh, Wayne. I am sure you follow news and politics. Labour and the progressives HAVE released many policies already. More will be announced during the election campaign proper prior to the election. I am sure Mr Cunliffe will announce the direction and some exciting policy at the Labour Congress starting this coming weekend, to help bring you and many others on the dark right wing side into our progressive fair world.

                  Some of the already released Labour policies and full details are in this page:
                  https://www.labour.org.nz/policy
                  Have a read. I am sure you will like most of them, if not all.

                  Of course, you could also go to the Greens and Internet MANA party pages to look at their policies.
                  Here are their links:
                  https://www.greens.org.nz/policy
                  http://mana.net.nz/policy/
                  https://internet.org.nz/

                  Cheers!

                  • Wayne …
                    30 June 2014 at 5:14 pm

                    I know what each Party is promising. But how will it all come together, where would the compromises be?

                    As I said, that is the advantage of being 90% of a coalition. On all the main issues it will be clear by the election what a National led govt will actually do.

                    That of course is why Shane Jones said Labour needed to get to 40%, to give that level of certainty. And in truth I am sure David Cunliffe also wants that outcome, but at this stage it does not look likely.

                    So even if there is no formal deal, it would help voters if Labour and at least the Greens gave a greater indication of their common ground, not just in generalities, but on some specifics, for instance taxes, housing, the ETS and transport.

                    And Helen Clark knew the importance of this in 1999, in cutting the deal with the Alliance. The electorate then knew what Labour/Alliance would do in govt.

                    Not an unreasonable ask I would have thought.

                    • lprent …
                      30 June 2014 at 5:25 pm

                      Which is what should have been done. That is a loose association of shared objectives. And was what National used to do with Act probably three times before they shrivelled and died, and which Labour managed once with the Alliance before it disintegrated.

                      However the Greens wanted to campaign together, effectively as one. That was a whole different kettle of fish particularly as there are a lot of areas where the Greens and Labour are miles apart.

                    • McFlock …
                      30 June 2014 at 5:28 pm

                      Wayne, if a coalition have a majority of a single seat, then the party with a single seat can wag the dog.

                      The point is that there’s room for compromise between most of labour’s likely coalition partners. Even NZ1 has proved willing to compromise on e.g. immigration if it gets more goldcard perks for the seniors.

                      But look at ACT with their funder Mr Crimp, vs the Maori Party. Or colin craig vs ACT’s social liberalism. There as many more opportunities for a failure to compromise there than there are between the left and centrist parties.

                    • Clemgeopin …
                      30 June 2014 at 6:29 pm

                      “On all the main issues it will be clear by the election what a National led govt will actually do”

                      Did you and the country know when they cast their votes in 2011 that National would destabilise our great education system by giving in to ACT for the profit making Charter school rort of public money getting funding at three times the rate of public schools for private business in education with no requirement of trained qualified teachers, no requirement to follow our education rules,oversight and guidelines, no public audit and accounting, no provision for their teachers to be represented by a union to help protect their wage and working conditions, no requirement of health and safety guidelines as regards breaks, leave, teaching times etc?

                      And you trust ACT and National ‘transparency’ and lack of any secret ideological ‘agenda’?

                    • blue leopard …
                      30 June 2014 at 6:35 pm

                      Just more propagandist and divisive tactics from you Wayne,

                      I am 100% confident that whatever compromises/arrangements are made by the left-wing parties when they get into government will be light-years more beneficial for substantially more New Zealanders than any agreement and non-policies that the right are offering . Voters can be assured that if National get in that only the top wealthy will be advantaged from such a government and more peoples’ interests will be addressed by a left-wing government – on that we can be certain.

                      Therefore while it would be nice to have some details about what the policy ‘mix’ would entail with our soon-to-be left-wing government it is not necessary for the left to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’ prior to the election in order for voters to make a sound decision on what government would be more beneficial to New Zealanders’ interests.

                      Thanks so much for your concern though and I wish to express additional thanks to you for the heads up on the latest divisive electioneering strategy that your masters are planning for us.

  16. Clemgeopin 16
    29 June 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Labour should emphasise the importance of the PARTY VOTE by asking voters to primarily give PARTY VOTE to LABOUR.

    TWO TICKS LABOUR, in this ORDER of importance

    FIRST ESSENTIAL : PARTY VOTE , LABOUR.
    SECONDARY : Candidate vote, Labour.

  17. Penny Bright 17
    29 June 2014 at 3:21 pm

    Strategic voting is the name of the game.

    That’s why I’m standing as a (fiercely) Independent ‘Anti-Corruption / Anti-Privatisation Public Watchdog against John Key in Helensville for the ELECTORATE vote.

    I’m not a member of any political party.

    Of course all political parties should stand in Helensville, to help advocate and promote for their party vote – but if thousands of Helensville voters give me their ELECTORATE vote – it will be GAME ON.

    (In my considered opinion 🙂

    But will John Key stand in Helensville?

    It is my view that he was probably intending to do a ‘Bill English’ and only stand as Number 1 on the National Party list.

    Hopefully, John Key will not bail, and will stand in Helensville, so I can beat him ‘fair and square’ 🙂

    For those who think that is ‘mission impossible’ – did you ever state – for the public record, that John Banks would be found guilty of electoral fraud?

    I’m campaigning to get rid of this National/ACT Government – except that the ‘ACT’ bit has already gone – thanks to Graham McCready’s successful private prosecution of John Banks.

    So – http://www.dodgyjohnHASgone.com

    The BIG question that I intend to ask John Key in any Helensville political debates is:

    “What role did YOU play, John Key, in the Repeal of the Glass Steagall Act in November 1999 – the effect being to leave the derivatives market completely without regulation, which played a ‘key’ role in the Global Financial Crisis?

    Given that in November 1999, you, John Key, were the Head of Derivatives for Merrill Lynch, and a Foreign Exchange Advisor for the New York Federal Reserve?”

    Cheers!

    Penny Bright

    • Clemgeopin 17.1
      29 June 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Good luck Penny. Hope you will vanquish this cult leader, the smiling slimy assassin and have the last laugh. New Zealand will rejoice with you, the modern day Joan of Arc.

  18. infused 18
    29 June 2014 at 3:58 pm

    National want a lower turn out? God you’re full of shit.

    The fact is, in National strong holds, the voter turn out for National was low. Mainly because people thought the election was in the bag.

    National have used the line ‘have to get out and vote’ for well over a year now.

    • Clemgeopin 18.1
      29 June 2014 at 4:00 pm

      I read it as ‘get out and vote the bastards out’

    • felix 18.2
      29 June 2014 at 4:15 pm

      “The fact is, in National strong holds, the voter turn out for National was low.”

      lolz. The overall turnout was low in Nat strongholds, not the National turnout.

      Everyone who is ever going to vote National is already voting National. And they only just squeaked in with a one-seat majority.

      Key knows this. Joyce knows this. That’s why they’re sending contradictory messages.

      To the general electorate they’re saying “50 FUCKING PERCENT,BITCHES. WE’LL GO IT ALONE”

      And to the faithful, it’s “hey guys, don’t believe the hype. This is realy really tight and if Labour pick up a couple of percent we’re fucked”.

    • felix 18.3
      29 June 2014 at 4:19 pm

      Here you go infused: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrGCrZjCUAAIeNc.jpg:large

      That’s as good as it’s ever going to get for National. All downhill my friend.

  19. dimebag russell 19
    29 June 2014 at 4:29 pm

    I saw kweewee on the teevee last night. He was snarliing and snarky and he never mentioned his governments policies once.
    oh thats right.
    they dont bother with that anymore.
    they just slag everyone else off and then do what they want to do by stealth.
    nice guys.

  20. Jrobin 20
    29 June 2014 at 5:20 pm

    Keep thinking about Turnkey, Blue leopard. That was probably a Freudian slip from deep within the guilt ridden right wing conscience. The aversion to Colin Craig however makes a dangerous alliance between Winston and turnKey ( TurKey even)more likely though, so is not overall an advantage. Winston on Backbenchers was reinforcing his role with condoleeza Rice in closing the gap between US and NZ. That made me feel uneasy, pro American allies, not a pleasant thought.
    Defacing billboards may be pragmatic with this in mind, despite being illegal. If it does help to rid us of the biggest public nuisance (turnKey that is) to have defaced the hallowed halls of Parliament, since Roger Douglas.
    Actually Is it illegal to alter billboards, isn’t it part of free speech during elections? Especially if done with good humoured wit. They are usually on Public land on verges. Anyone know the law in this respect?

    • blue leopard 20.1
      29 June 2014 at 7:45 pm

      That is really interesting re Freudian slip – that is probably exactly what it is! I keep doing a double take every-time I see that name – all I can see is ‘turnkey’ at first.

      I like your reasoning re billboards 😉 Perhaps we could have some blank billboards put up especially for the purpose?

      …as for Winston…he really is very unpredictable isn’t he?!

    • Colonial Viper 20.2
      29 June 2014 at 8:31 pm

      Actually Is it illegal to alter billboards, isn’t it part of free speech during elections? Especially if done with good humoured wit. They are usually on Public land on verges. Anyone know the law in this respect?

      What was said about the Greens stunt on the NAT billboards last time around?

      Hoardings as they are more properly called, frequently get damaged during campaigns. Nothing unusual in that, as any seasoned campaigner can attest to.

    • Clemgeopin 20.3
      29 June 2014 at 9:43 pm

      Forget about it. It is a very bad idea and very undemocratic and unfair. Don’t even think of going there. It will do more harm than good to our progressive cause.
      We should fight the bastards through conviction, policies, campaign, persuasion, education and social media.

      • Colonial Viper 20.3.1
        29 June 2014 at 10:20 pm

        Nice sentiments. But how many hoardings have you put up or repaired on the campaign trail front line.

        • Clemgeopin 20.3.1.1
          29 June 2014 at 10:48 pm

          Never involved in billboards. Only did door knocking and pamphlet drops in post boxes.

          If opposition damages out bill boards, sure it is a pain and does repairs etc, but I still think it is not good to retaliate. What do you think? and what has been your experience?

          • Colonial Viper 20.3.1.1.1
            29 June 2014 at 11:32 pm

            Everything on the campaign trail makes a point. If all the red hoardings in a town of 10,000 have been demolished or defaced, and John Key’s smiling face on a pretty blue background looks out perfectly from all over the town, that says something of significance to the Labour voters there.

  21. Valleyman 21
    29 June 2014 at 5:35 pm

    I hope like hell that key does a deal with the whacko craig, along with keys arrogance & ego will be his downfall.

  22. Matthew Whitehead 22
    29 June 2014 at 5:43 pm

    If I were Matt McCarten right now I’d be making heavy use of the fact that John Key has thought about quitting, and remind people there’s a possibility that a vote for National will net you Bill English as Prime Minister.

    That should make David Cunliffe look very attractive to voters. 😛

    • Nakiman 22.1
      29 June 2014 at 5:55 pm

      Key said he is not quitting, he may do four terms

      • Tracey 22.1.1
        29 June 2014 at 6:24 pm

        …and he never lies

      • Colonial Viper 22.1.2
        29 June 2014 at 8:34 pm

        No GST rises either…

      • Clemgeopin 22.1.3
        29 June 2014 at 9:51 pm

        And you BELIEVE him?! He also said he will NOT raise GST. You believe him? He said he DOES NOT REMEMBER where he stood on the Springs Bok tour. You believe that? His innumerable convenient ‘brain fades’. You believe him? You are sucked in, mate.

        Get out of your dark side. Be patriotic!

      • Blue 22.1.4
        29 June 2014 at 9:55 pm

        Pffft. That sook was considering quitting after the tea tapes. He can’t take the heat – one decent scandal and he’ll be off to Hawaii faster than you can say golf.

    • cogito 22.2
      29 June 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Funny you should say that… Personally, I always had a bit f a soft spot for Bill English (prior to him being infected by Key) as he always came over as quite a straight talking, level headed family man…. I have often wondered how he actually gets on with slime-ball Key.

      • Dee 22.2.1
        1 July 2014 at 4:50 pm

        I liked Bill once to, but he has gone along with this rotten govt so he is over as far as I am concerned.

    • Dee 22.3
      1 July 2014 at 4:49 pm

      Good one Matt, but will they do it?

  23. dimebag russell 23
    29 June 2014 at 10:13 pm

    an oxymoron really.
    key hasn’t got a personality.
    he is cold and shallow like a pit viper.

  24. Whatever next? 24
    29 June 2014 at 11:40 pm

    Teamkey or turkey? Gobbling up new zealand

  25. Jrobin 25
    30 June 2014 at 6:10 am

    Clemgeopin, yes I see your point. It can backfire to vandalise. Satirical and good humoured alterations though may add an element of an ‘outside’ to the overwhelmingly persuasive propaganda machine that is kicking in behind re electing Key. it is dirty tactics though and I guess there are more positive ways to counter turnKey.

  26. freedom 26
    30 June 2014 at 9:36 am

    Hi, I am looking for the Obama version of the TeamKey image below. It was floating around the other day but it seems to have vanished from google searches and I cannot recall exactly where I saw it posted. I will keep trawling but if someone has it, I would appreciate the link.
    Have a good day.
    http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrKsVdrCYAAgUyT.jpg:large