Old National party ad, how times change:

sbiddle:

 

jonb:

 

At a purely policy level the grand coalition is not such a crazy notion. (I say that as a Labour voter - Phil Goff is pretty much a National politician and Andrew Little is mostly criticised by his own party for being too much of a socialist)

 

 

Labour's best leader was Shearer, but he got shafted because the party [union] decided he wasn't what the party needed.

 

 

Labour's election process is unique.  There were (in 2014) three elector pools  - the unions, the caucus and the party membership.  The union pool has the most influence because it votes a single entity.

Fred99:

 

Old National party ad, how times change:

 

 

What is the point of posting this?

MikeB4:

 

Fred99:

 

Old National party ad, how times change:

 

 

 

 

What is the point of posting this?

 

To amuse mainly - but I'm sure immigration is going to be a topic in the upcoming election - and as I said "how times change".  

Every time you post something trivial, would you like me to ask why you posted it?

Fred99:

 

MikeB4:

 

Fred99:

 

Old National party ad, how times change:

 

 

 

 

What is the point of posting this?

 

 

To amuse mainly - but I'm sure immigration is going to be a topic in the upcoming election - and as I said "how times change".  

 

Every time you post something trivial, would you like me to ask why you posted it?

 

Just asked, no covert agenda just seeking clarification.

His son is probably done something and they don't want the media attention. 

pbgben:

 

 

 

His son is probably done something and they don't want the media attention. 

 

Well I guess we should be grateful it took 10 pages for this type of stuff to turn up.

MikeAqua:

 

sbiddle:

 

jonb:

 

At a purely policy level the grand coalition is not such a crazy notion. (I say that as a Labour voter - Phil Goff is pretty much a National politician and Andrew Little is mostly criticised by his own party for being too much of a socialist)

 

 

Labour's best leader was Shearer, but he got shafted because the party [union] decided he wasn't what the party needed.

 

 

 

Labour's election process is unique.  There were (in 2014) three elector pools  - the unions, the caucus and the party membership.  The union pool has the most influence because it votes a single entity.

 

 

 

Unique is a kind way of putting it. Shearer was a good choice, but perhaps not really a politician, and he seemed a bit too laid back to be PM. Then they also got rid of Goff who is now perhaps in a better job for him. Both had at least some charisma, which is a must for any Prime Minister.  I guess this does give Labour the perfect opportunity to put in a new leader. If they don't now, then they are locked in till the election.

MikeB4:

 

Fred99:

 

Old National party ad, how times change:

 

 

 

 

What is the point of posting this?

 

Probably because it is ironic, considering what is happening now, and what they once campaigned againes, they are now doing.

mattwnz:

 

MikeAqua:

 

sbiddle:

 

jonb:

 

At a purely policy level the grand coalition is not such a crazy notion. (I say that as a Labour voter - Phil Goff is pretty much a National politician and Andrew Little is mostly criticised by his own party for being too much of a socialist)

 

 

Labour's best leader was Shearer, but he got shafted because the party [union] decided he wasn't what the party needed.

 

 

 

Labour's election process is unique.  There were (in 2014) three elector pools  - the unions, the caucus and the party membership.  The union pool has the most influence because it votes a single entity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unique is a kind way of putting it. Shearer was a good choice, but perhaps not really a politician, and he seemed a bit too laid back to be PM. Then they also got rid of Goff who is now perhaps in a better job for him. Both had at least some charisma, which is a must for any Prime Minister.  I guess this does give Labour the perfect opportunity to put in a new leader. If they don't now, then they are locked in till the election.

 

I agree, if Labour put a new leadership team in place now, it would be game on for next year. Sadly, Little doesn't realise, or admit to the reality, that he has only limited public appeal - therefore, people won't vote for Labour because of Little, they will only vote for Labour on account dissatisfaction with other parties. Labour needs better than this. And what's with Annette King as deputy?! Nothing against her personally, but with over 30 years in the job, punters want to see fresh faces.

dafman:

 

 

 

I agree, if Labour put a new leadership team in place now, it would be game on for next year. Sadly, Little doesn't realise, or admit to the reality, that he has only limited public appeal - therefore, people won't vote for Labour because of Little, they will only vote for Labour on account dissatisfaction with other parties. Labour needs better than this. And what's with Annette King as deputy?! Nothing against her personally, but with over 30 years in the job, punters want to see fresh faces.

 

Yeah... but:

National - despite having enjoyed popular support aren't sitting on a comfortable majority, their "obvious" PM candidate Bill E doesn't ooze charm and charisma, and one candidate in particular is divisive.  They also have a problem.

Little might "improve" once he's actually accepted by the media as a serious contender - he struggles to get noticed at the moment.  Very hard to say how this is going to pan out.

It wouldn't hugely surprise me if after the Nats have selected a candidate, if their polling is favourable, they'll create a crisis on which to call a snap election.  That's about as conspiracy theory as I'd guess possible, to explain Key's surprise resignation which otherwise doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense to me.  My guess the crisis may be around superannuation reform, something that they'd like to do so that they can hand out tax cuts and spending bribes, rather than use the present surpluses to reduce debt - which is (IMO) what they should be doing.

Fred99:

 

dafman:

 

 

 

I agree, if Labour put a new leadership team in place now, it would be game on for next year. Sadly, Little doesn't realise, or admit to the reality, that he has only limited public appeal - therefore, people won't vote for Labour because of Little, they will only vote for Labour on account dissatisfaction with other parties. Labour needs better than this. And what's with Annette King as deputy?! Nothing against her personally, but with over 30 years in the job, punters want to see fresh faces.

 

 

Yeah... but:

 

National - despite having enjoyed popular support aren't sitting on a comfortable majority, their "obvious" PM candidate Bill E doesn't ooze charm and charisma, and one candidate in particular is divisive.  They also have a problem.

 

Little might "improve" once he's actually accepted by the media as a serious contender - he struggles to get noticed at the moment.  Very hard to say how this is going to pan out.

 

 

 

It wouldn't hugely surprise me if after the Nats have selected a candidate, if their polling is favourable, they'll create a crisis on which to call a snap election.  That's about as conspiracy theory as I'd guess possible, to explain Key's surprise resignation which otherwise doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense to me.  My guess the crisis may be around superannuation reform, something that they'd like to do so that they can hand out tax cuts and spending bribes, rather than use the present surpluses to reduce debt - which is (IMO) what they should be doing.

 

I agree, I think a snap election is on the cards. National will want to move quickly while 'brand Key' is still relatively strong.

MikeB4: I can't see a benefit for the Government to call an early election. Hopefully the Honourable Bill English becomes PM and the electorate recognises his skills and continue the success for New Zealand.

I agree - and history shows that calling a snap election is a dumb idea.  However, going into an election with an unelected PM as candidate is also political suicide in NZ.

The whole thing just doesn't wash with me - the National Party has been an extremely well-oiled machine for a decade.  Something's up (but what?) - I just don't believe that this hasn't been very well planned in advance.