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Walking and Chewing Gum

May 10th, 2011

One of the great joys of being interested in politics is the debate over strategy and tactics. Everyone has an opinion. All parties, and people within parties have these debates. Personally I don’t always agree with every tactical decision made by my own party, as I am sure that is the case for most politicians.

But one thing that fascinates me is when people decide that a party can only focus on one thing at a time. Case in point. In the last few days Labour has been raising issues to do with spending by National on the Diplomatic Protection Squad and on painting Premier House. The pretty simple idea here is to show a party that tells New Zealanders to tighten their belts, but is happily overspending, and has its priorities wrong.

Now I expect our political opponents to adopt some kind of diversionary response. On these issues it has taken National a while to get something, but it has arrived, complete with NZ Herald editorial to back it up. Labour is focusing on the small issues, they should be focused on the big policy issues.

Ok, that is a political response, but let’s not give it too much credit. Just because Labour is raising these issues does not mean that we are not raising other issues. I am sure it will not have escaped readers of Red Alert that we have a major campaign on stopping asset sales. The New Zealand Herald who are criticising Labour’s approach today attended the launch of the asset sales billboards put up by Labour last weekend, but chose not to cover it. So much for the focus on the big issues.

The truth is there has been more media coverage in last few days of the DPS and Premier House stories. The media have run with them. In the meantime Phil has done a major speech on asset sales and cost of living to Grey Power, and other spokespeople have raised issues on broadband, savings, unemployment, water etc. They got some coverage too, but not as much. That is not our choice, it is the media’s. Should we ignore the so-called small issues in the hope that this will somehow make the media cover the “big issues”? We might be a long time waiting.

There is much to focus on in terms of the Budget, and we are, and will continue to do it, but it is possible to, in a political sense, walk and chew gum at the same time.

Posted in Asset sales, Politics and Labour Party. | 0 Comments

The Quake and Politics

March 2nd, 2011

Just over a week on my thoughts constantly turn to the people of Christchurch. I am thinking particularly of those who have lost loved ones. For many this is a time of unbearable heartache as they wait for news, any news, of their nearest and dearest, knowing all the while their likely fate. I have been close to two of these situations in the last week and it is truly testing the friends and families to endure the hurt, frustration and uncertainty. I also think of those who are homeless, or in wrecked homes or in streets, especially those in the eastern suburbs still without power, water and sewerage.

The people of Christchurch and their well-being is the chief concern of all in politics right now, whatever party we are from. In this past week we have all tried to pull together, as communities all around New Zealand have, to do our best for them. Government Ministers are working incredibly hard, as are local MPs of all parties and I want to acknowledge them all for that.

Part of the passing days is that discussion inevitably turn to matters that are more political. We had our first taste of that with the story about Bill English refusing to rule out cuts to Working for Families and changes to the interest free student loan scheme. John Key followed up today saying there was an ‘opportunity’ to look again at these policies. Phil Goff has responded saying that cutting incomes for families and increasing costs for students and graduates like this is not the correct response, and that there are other choices the government can make.

The mere fact of this debate has caused anguish for some. I accept that this is a sensitive area. As I said there are many people still waiting to learn the fate of their family members, and thousands of people doing it really tough every day. But the discussion about the future of Christchurch and what will be done is now in the public arena as likely costs are released by the government, and questions asked by the media and others. It does not, and should not stop the focus on rescue, recovery and ensuring the immediate health and safety of residents.

In fact it is important for our democracy that the debate is held. These are important decisions about the future of our whole country, especially Christchurch, but for all of us in the end. The choices that are made, and the priorities accorded to future spending need to be the subject of debate. There is need to hold the government to account, and to oppose and propose where necessary. This is not disrespectful to the people of Christchurch, it is in fact to support them and take further steps to recovery.

We must strive to work together for the people of Christchurch. We must be sensitive to an emotionally charged situation. But there will be debate and disagreement. That is a healthy part of our democracy. That is part of politics. And politics need not be a dirty word. It should be the mechanism by which we go about about finding the best outcome for the people and the future of Christchurch and the rest of our great country.

Posted in Earthquake, Canterbury Earthquake, Tertiary Education, Student Loans and Politics. | 0 Comments

McGehan Close- A Cautionary Tale

February 15th, 2010

There is an extraordinary story in yesterday’s Sunday Star Times. It follows up the Herald on Sunday from the previous week in returning to McGehan Close, the street John Key went to as Opposition leader to highlight the “underclass”.

The article repeats the concerns of the family Key made famous, the Nathan’s, that they felt they had been used by Key and National. Certainly the situation around Jackie Blue giving Joan Nathan a job, sacking her after the election and then claiming it was because her office had merged looks at best disingenuous. But many in the rest of the street are also unhappy.

Some are bitter that Key has used their street for political gain. “What’s he done? Nothing,” was a common refrain.

“His biggest mistake was coming here,” says social worker Vince Tuisamoa. “It will be his Achilles heel. He’s used the street, this is the street he names all the time and yet the street is still the same, we haven’t got anything.

“He promised tax relief, but the only people he’s given it to is the top people. He offered jobs, but what jobs has he given? It’s like waiting for Santa Claus, but he doesn’t come.”

In modern politics it is easy to fall for the lure of a media opportunity, if you are not coming from a solid base of values. National felt that they could reach out to new voting constituencies in 2008, and they were successful in doing so. But if it is just about the votes, and not about the plan that you have for the future it is easy to come unstuck.

Factory worker Chandra Kumar voted for National. “I thought he [Key] might bring in good change, but all those promises were lies.”

The saddest thing in many ways is that this has reinforced in the minds of many residents that politicians in general can not be trusted. I should note that some of those interviewed in the article are critical of Labour as well, but the bottom line is that these people feel used. Many felt they were being disrespected by what Key said originally, and to make matters worse he has now discarded them after being elected.

As politicians we have got to be better than that.

Posted in Politics. | 0 Comments

Republicans Win Massachusetts Senate Race

January 20th, 2010

This is a big blow for Obama. The Democrat candidate Martha Coakley has conceded to Republican Scott Browne. When I was in the USA in September/October last year I went to a candidate forum during the Democratic primary. There was not even a thought at that time that the Democrats would not win the seat. There has not been a Republican Senator from Massachusetts since 1972.

According to people I have spoken to in the US there were some local issues at play, but this be will seen as a referendum on the Obama administration thus far, and on healthcare in particular. Browne has stated he will vote against the healthcare plan, and that means the Democrats can not exercise the “super-majority” that would push the Bill through the Senate. As the linked article above notes there is a cruel irony in that healthcare was the “cause of my life” for Senator Ted Kennedy whose death led to the election.

It will be interesting to see the flow-on effect. If the Democrats suffer a similar fate in the House races later this year, it will severely dent Obama. He is going to need every inch of his political acumen to come through this, and who knows if there will now be the changes to healthcare that are so desperately needed by the millions of Americans without insurance.

Posted in Republicans, Politics and Foreign Affairs. | 0 Comments

Coalition Management- Colin James’ view

November 17th, 2009

Colin James has an interesting column on the Hone Harawira saga in the Dom Post today (not on-line yet) that picks up the theme discussed here before of the potential impact of the loose coalition management that has marked the Key administration. While noting that at the moment John Key seems to have time and space to deal with unstable coalition partners, Colin says

But in politics sideshows sometimes rewrite the main act. Too many distractions and slips eventually become a defining characteristic. That is the spectre for Key’s loose government and most unusual three-way shack-up. To keep his three-legged runners synchronised will need tough-minded management, sooner rather than later. That is the real issue with Harawira. It’s a Key issue.

This is the reflective and intellectual equivalent of Michael Laws’ call for Helen to come back on Sunday! There is absolutely no sign that the need for that management is understood in the Beehive, nor exactly where it might come from.

Tough management also can not be substituted for straight out undermining of one’s partners either. The persistent rumour around Parliament is that the NZ Herald front page story on Rodney Hide paying back the costs of his trip to Hawaii came direct from a senior National figure. This sort of approach is at odds with John Key’s sunny public disposition and ‘relaxed” approach to being told he is not doing anything. In the end consistent, fair and firm is the way to go with coalition partners less it all unravel badly.

Posted in Politics, coalition management and ACT. | 0 Comments