I have left Labour Party conferences with a lot of things over the years- unsuccessful raffle tickets, great policy ideas, great organising tools, even a tiny hangover from time to time. But never before have I left with a song in my head I just can’t get out. Chris Knox’s Its A Better Way With Labour is great. As a long term Chris Knox fan I am biased, but it is really catchy.
I also left this year’s conference incredibly optimistic about Labour’s chances. Our conferences are truly a place for debating ideas and strategies. We still have a normal remit process, but there is scope for discussing other issues in depth and to work out long term plans. From child poverty, to faith based issues to sustainability and the role of science in innovation we discussed a vast range of issues.
Perhaps even more encouraging are the people at Labour conferences. As one journalist remarked to me at the conference- Labour conferences look like New Zealand. We have people from a wide variety of ethnicities, ages and backgrounds. A balance of men and women, urban and rural, north and south. I very much doubt the same kind of diversity would be on show at a National conference.
Labour’s story- of working together to build a better, fairer New Zealand where people of all backgrounds can succeed and live together in harmony, is one that I still think mirrors the New Zealand story. With the diverse whanau that are now part of Labour we can take that story proudly forward into the future.
Check out Helen and Michael’s speeches to the conference. They provide a great recap on the achievements of the past, the ideas for the future, and the danger to our country presented by a return to National in government.
It really is a better way with Labour, way better.
I couldn’t agree with you more about the difference between National and Labour.
A few years ago I had the displeasure of working at a National Party conference as an usher (no I hadn’t changed teams or anything - I happened to work at the venue).
It was a good insight to get. Lots of middle aged white men in suits, expecting doors to be opened for them, not even saying ‘hi’ and talking about tax, tax and tax.
Bo-ring.
And whenever one sees coverage of Nat conferences these days it doesn’t look like much has changed. Much like their policies and their front bench.
Ps: compare our song with what John Key chose to use at the National Party Conference: “Clocks” by Coldplay. Not to mention that it’s in a minor key (ie, sad music), the text isn’t exactly visionary or uplifting. Here are some excerpts:
“Lights go out and I can’t be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against
Have bought me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead”
“Come out of things unsaid
Shoot an apple off my head”
But wait there’s more:
“Confusion that never stops
The closing walls and the ticking clocks”
And my personal favourite:
“Am I part of the cure
Or am I part of the disease” hehe……
brilliant choice of lyrics for John.