The Tory nose-dive roundup

Written By: - Date published: 11:38 am, June 9th, 2009 - 34 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, john key, mt albert, richard worth - Tags: , , , ,

I never seen a government crash so quickly, so hard.

The Standard was saying before the election that Key was a two-faced facade and his government would push a rightwing agenda. The media chose to ignore the signs. Too caught up in the fun of getting their boy elected to care about what would happen once he had power. Seven months too late they’re starting to see through him.

Check out this interview with Key and Henry on Breakfast. It’s a pretty soft interview but Key’s still on the defensive. So he tries his usual shtick. Out of the blue he interrupts Henry with “Speaking of winners, I hope you like my tie. Because my son Max bought it for me. So I’m wearing it eckspecially”. Henry’s reaction reminds me of humouring a drunk mate ‘ah, good old Max eh?… Now, going back to my question… Mt Albert looks like it will be a loser for you’.

Key’s a bit like a stand up comedian. It’s only good as long as people play along and laugh. Once they stop, he’s just a dude embarrassing himself.

In other Mt Albert news, things are looking pretty good for Labour. Wouldn’t expect Shearer’s win to actually be that big. Did call Lee coming in third though a few weeks back. That’s still a good possibility. Would you bother to vote for a ditzy egoist who won’t even show up to hear your objections to her party’s Supercity?

Lee’s performance is an indictment on the Tories and Key. Lee’s what you get for selecting looks over ability. It’s the same mindset that got Key as National leader then PM. He wasn’t chosen for his ability to do the job. He’s a marketing exercise. Chosen for his looks and story. Problem for the rest of us is now this drongo gets to make decisions that affect the rest of us.

If I were in Mt Albert I would be voting Norman. Not just because RAM told me to. Norman may be a ginge but at least he gives a damn.

Speaking of the Supercity. Did you hear John Carter on Radio Socialism yesterday?

“I’ve had a lot of meetings.. getting a lot of interest, good feedback, good communication. There’s some obviously that are a bit fractious depending on people’s views but most people are interested to know the programme, looking to making submissions, and we’re seeking their contribution so we get the structure right.”

See what he doesn’t say – ‘people like our plan’, ‘we will change the plan to satisfy Aucklanders’ concerns’. He even talks down the idea of a change of heart on Maori seats. What a dork.

All a farce anyway. Key’s already told us who is meant to win the Supercity election. ‘Supermayor Banks’. Now they’ve just got to design the system to ensure he wins.

Finally, someone tell Key to stop playing peek-a-boo with Worth. Meet the woman. Tell us why he sacked Worth. Come clean on what he knew when he knew it. Stop wasting our time with this sideshow. Any competent PM would.

Pity we don’t have one of those anymore.

34 comments on “The Tory nose-dive roundup ”

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  1. George D 1
    9 June 2009 at 12:18 pm

    I’d say National’s “mother of all budgets” saw a bigger, harder crash, in about the same amount of time. It impacted them in a far bigger way. They can come back from these mistakes and brush them off if they get enough right. I was young then though, so my memory might be cloudy.

    Whatever the case, we haven’t seen a crash like this very often in the last few decades.

  2. toad 2
    9 June 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Yep, and the news is getting worse. I’m surprised that no-one at The Standard has yet posted on this Cabinet paper from Rodney Hide, which reveals that it is not just Auckland but all of local government that he plans to gut.

    Read the intro to the paper and think he’s talking about improving transparency and consultation in local government. Get into the detail, and it’s all about reducing it.

    [lprent: It is such a target rich environment at present that we are struggling to keep up. I looked at it and decided that I’d give it a few days for the Worthless saga to die down, and the by-election. Then start doing it as I rush my submission in for the select committee whitewash. Guess the other authors are doing the same. ]

    • Macro 2.1
      9 June 2009 at 1:30 pm

      Yes it is the most incredible piece of hypocrisy I have ever had the misfortune to read!
      Local government must have referenda to implement any new initiative – but I Wodney – can bulldoze through any change I like under urgency!

  3. Mr Magoo 3
    9 June 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Key is like a possum in headlights.

    I am starting to think he may have started believing their spin in that the solutions to “fix” NZ were all obvious and easy and black and white and all that was missing was a government willing to ignore discourse and “academics” and make tough decisions quickly.

    It is almost like he is surprised at the resistance to or problems with their changes. Why is there so much resistance when we have a “mandate” and our solution was so “obviously right”??

    High school old boys club is starting to fall apart I guess.

    e.g.
    Lee:
    Idea: put an “ethnic” (NB: their words) candidate with media experience in. Problem solved.
    Reality check: Should have checked her actual past performance.
    Result: failure

    Conference:
    Idea: Get the country’s best business brains in a room to solve the problem.
    Reality check: Mostly special or self interests asking government for more money. Result: failure.

    Car crushing:
    Idea: Crush bad cars! Yeah!
    Reality Check: Bill of rights, fairness, most bad cars are financed etc etc etc
    Result: Fail.

    etc

  4. tsmithfield 4
    9 June 2009 at 12:53 pm

    I for one would welcome simplification of the Christchurch structure, as, judging by talkback feedback here in Christchurch, would many other Cantabrians.

    • Pascal's bookie 4.1
      9 June 2009 at 1:05 pm

      “judging by talkback feedback ”

      The entrails of the roadkill seagull I saw on my way to work this morning disagree.

    • Zaphod Beeblebrox 4.2
      9 June 2009 at 1:06 pm

      Maybe they could hold a referendum on it?

    • Macro 4.3
      9 June 2009 at 1:20 pm

      Its not the simplification of Auckland’s local governance that is the issue here! It is the manner in which it is being done – and the proposal itself – which completely overturns most of the recommendations of the Royal Commission. Then the Royal Commission took into account all the submissions from residents and interested parties. Now only one interested party gets to have its say – business Auckland Central – and the rest of you can got and get lost!

      • Zaphod Beeblebrox 4.3.1
        9 June 2009 at 1:37 pm

        The RC wanted to help Aucklanders take control of our lives. The Hide/Key plan wants to help Wellington take care of it.
        If you want a say in what happens in Auckland move to Wellington and work for Transport, Conservation, the new EPA, Local Government or Environment. They are getting all the powers taken away from local government.

        • Macro 4.3.1.1
          9 June 2009 at 1:51 pm

          “If you want a say in what happens in Auckland ” OR ANYWHERE ELSE for that matter!
          Wake up NZ you are quietly being shafted by this crowd of posers!

    • Draco T Bastard 4.4
      9 June 2009 at 2:23 pm

      Talkback isn’t worth writing home about. It’s populated by the people with the most self-centered views, outdated information and time on their hands.

    • Rodel 4.5
      9 June 2009 at 9:10 pm

      Of course talkback feedback (retard radio) supports simplification of Christchurch- or anywhere.
      Talkback callers are just slightly less simple than the talkback hosts- all simpletons really with simple talk.

      • Macro 4.5.1
        9 June 2009 at 9:32 pm

        I was wondering where ts got his opinions from (they are certainly not out of left field!) – now we know – talkback “hosts”.

  5. tsmithfield 5
    9 June 2009 at 12:56 pm

    Mr Magoo: “most bad cars are financed etc etc etc”

    Well, they won’t be financed for much longer if Finance companies think their security will be crushed. This has to be a good thing. Nothing worse than irresponsible drivers being able to finance dangerous cars.

    • Mr Magoo 5.1
      9 June 2009 at 1:26 pm

      I agree on the result of that point. Save the environment, lives, trade and debt profile. Magical.
      I am not sure finance companies would stop lending – perhaps be more cautious at best.

      However the problem is crushing the EXISTING cars which are financed and those that have parental/other security etc.

      Again, the basic point is that life is simply never that simple. 🙂

      Devil is in the details. Jonny boy is starting to learn that applies to running a country also – even though you are making decisions at the “highest” level.

      • George D 5.1.1
        9 June 2009 at 1:41 pm

        I agree on the result of that point. Save the environment, lives, trade and debt profile. Magical.

        Indeed, magical. I’m waiting for the Government to extend this program, and crush more cars. First all cars with plates ending in 9…

        • Mr Magoo 5.1.1.1
          9 June 2009 at 1:59 pm

          That would be taking away people’s property who did not have multiple offences and unpaid fines and thus really did not deserve to use public roads at all.

          But let’s not forget the crux of my point- such simple minded ideas are simply not going to work in reality.

          Case in point: While I love the idea of less gas guzzling, foreign and expensive liabilities in NZ, I would never advocate crushing people’s cars. I am not stupid enough to believe this would work or is a fair way to acheive the goal etc.

          • George 5.1.1.1.1
            9 June 2009 at 3:57 pm

            Aw come on! Who said anything about people having to have done anything wrong? Both Labour and National support laws that would punish drivers on ‘suspicion’ rather than any contestable evidence.

  6. jarbury 6
    9 June 2009 at 12:59 pm

    I did kind of think that National would need to be Labour with different faces or sh1t would start hitting the fan….

    People are only starting to realise how the last government wasn’t that bad after all?

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1
      9 June 2009 at 2:27 pm

      People didn’t actually vote for a change – they voted for Labour with a smiley face. What they got was change for the worse and, yes, they’re only just starting to realise this now.

      Unfortunately, we can’t recall the government.

  7. Kaplan 7
    9 June 2009 at 1:43 pm

    What a headline…
    http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/audrey-young/2009/6/9/goff-right-key-wrong/?c_id=280&objectid=10577381

    Honestly, at best this makes Key a complete muppet, at worst it exposes him in a desperate lie.

    • Mr Magoo 7.1
      9 June 2009 at 2:02 pm

      Nice that the labour party “member” has been transformed into “activist” all of a sudden.

      National don’t employ Crosby, Stills and Txter anymore. They don’t bloody need them!

      The media do their job for them?!

      Are there any labour “activists” anymore??

    • exbrethren 7.2
      9 June 2009 at 2:11 pm

      Key dismissed that at his post cabinet press conference yesterday saying “that can’t be right because I got off the plane at 10 pm.”

      That can’t be interpreted as anything other than a lie. He was trying to cast doubt on Goff’s memo. Pity about hard evidence eh Shonkey?

    • Ianmac 7.3
      9 June 2009 at 2:24 pm

      The “being on the plane” comment to justify John’s claim that Phil was “wrong” on so many levels, seems very strange. Why on earth would John say that knowing that it could easily be checked???? Luckily John is just another dad like us. OOPS! No he’s not. He is the Prime Minister for God’s sake!
      The extended interview played on Maori TV last night recorded last Friday, was astounding for the dissembling John Key. I don’t think he answered any questions but blustered empty words. So do I when marking time trying to think of an answer but I am not the PM!

  8. Macro 8
    9 June 2009 at 8:02 pm

    May be Key answered the call while he was still on the plane!!! Think about that!

    • Zetetic 8.1
      10 June 2009 at 1:11 am

      I think you’re taking the piss. Just in case – Key said he was on the Mangere bridge.

      • Macro 8.1.1
        10 June 2009 at 4:02 pm

        Yes he SAID he was the bridge!

        captcha “tourist stretch” – how freaky is that!

  9. Razorlight 9
    9 June 2009 at 11:23 pm

    But but but…

    In early June support for John Key’s Coalition Government is 57.5% (up 0.5%) comprising National Party support 52% (unchanged), Maori Party 3% (up 0.5%), ACT NZ 2% (unchanged), and United Future 0.5% (unchanged) according to the Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll conducted May 4-17, 2009.

    Support for Opposition parties is 42.5% (down 0.5%) — Labour Party support is 31% (down 0.5%), Greens 8.5% (down 1%), NZ First 1.5% (up 0.5%), Progressive Party 0.5% (unchanged) and Others 1% (up 0.5%).

    The Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating is at 145.5 (down 2.5 points) with 65.5% (down 2%) of New Zealanders saying New Zealand is ‘heading in the right direction’ compared to only 20% (up 0.5%) that say New Zealand is ‘heading in the wrong direction.’

    Is that really a “nose dive”

    • Zetetic 9.1
      10 June 2009 at 1:10 am

      I’m not referring to polls. I’m referring to the image of a competent government.

      That poll was conducted before the Worth thing. It was 80% conducted before the Budget.

      Made a bit of a dork of yourself there.

      • Razorlight 9.1.1
        10 June 2009 at 8:23 am

        Didn’t really make a dork of myself at all.

        I live in the UK and try to read across the board as I am somewhat out of the loop living here. So I am very reliant on the internet for my NZ political news. National has made some mistakes in the past few weeks but the only place I can really find where there is consistent negative news every day about them is at The Standard.

        Most commentators that I read acknowledged it was the most difficult budget to deliver in a generation and given that fact it was satisfactory.

        As for the Worth scandal. National should and will take a hit. Hopefully the idiot leaves and Key learns.

        So when I read about a Tory nose dive I thought I would look at what the most recent credible poll had to say about a ‘nose dive’ and that is what I have quoted.

        Peope on the left go on and on about the bias media and crosby textor speak. I would suggest that using headlines with the word nose dive isn’t exactly accurate either.

        If that makes me a dork in your eyes than so be it.

        • felix 9.1.1.1
          10 June 2009 at 2:57 pm

          You went to a bit of effort to type all that data out just to rubbish Zet’s post and you didn’t even check to see when it was collected.

          You look like a bit of a dork.

  10. gingercrush 10
    9 June 2009 at 11:25 pm

    Oh Razorlight that was before the Budget and the Worth Scandal. The polls will show a real change in favour of the left just you wait. After all, we’ve been hearing the left say that for months.

  11. sunny 11
    10 June 2009 at 2:03 pm

    John Key says at 1 point “I’ve told the Board” Ummm…the Board?

  12. randal 12
    10 June 2009 at 2:04 pm

    looks like federated farmers are about to give them a boot too.
    the usual suspects from the right are about to try and subvert water allocation in the countyside under a system of tradeable rights
    i.e. start raking off percentages for doing nothing.

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