It’s been finally confirmed, Labour will say no to the TPPA.
They have avoided getting sucked into Matthew Hooton spin that siding with Jane Kelsey is akin to fringe politics like mass surveillance that no one supposedly cares about.
In part it was the hundreds of arguments that have been put up showing how destructive the TPPA is, but the biggest component was a combination of a titanic idelogical battle behind the scenes and deep seated public opinion turning against the TPPA.
The real deal of getting Labour to this point was a behind the scenes fight with the right wing of the Party inside Caucus. They feared waking the sleeping dogs of free market arguments that had torn the party in two in the 80s. The real turn around came after Little went to America and spoke privately with many Democrats who were deeply against TPPA. Hearing their points of view and speaking to experts outside the Government PR spin drs created a resolution within Little that was cemented into place at their recent private retreat at the beginning of the week.
Even the Right within Labour acknowledged that this deal was unlike any ‘free trade’ deal before it and would absolutely stump any future Government from passing legislation based on their own policies.
Goff is making his stand, but he needs Labour backing to win the Mayoralty so crossing the floor might be a bit too far, and there are plenty of new young up and comers who could stand in Mt Albert.
The other reason Labour have solidified their position is because of the private polling. Key is talking up conflict and spoiling for a fight on the 4th and at Waitangi because polling is telling him that the country is deeply set against the TPPA. What National are attempting to manufacture is the same game plan they used with mass surveillance and dirty politics.
Most NZers were completely against the GCSB gaining mass surveillance powers and dirty politics, but by playing to the nations anti-intellectualism and need to be part of the flock, Key was able to paint those asking questions as agitators and communist conspirators. He used the same tactic against Labour by screaming they supported rapists and murderers when they asked questions about NZers human rights.
When caught abusing political power, Key’s response is always to bellow abuse at his enemies and paint them as extreme. That’s what Key is doing now with the protest against the TPPA and Key is having to stoop once again to these tactics because their polling is telling them most NZers are completely against the this forced trade deal.
Labour may have been late to the fight, but they are here. Little will rob Key of any symbolism in a Parliamentary vote, this is Key’s turd sandwich and Labour don’t want a bite of it.
Shearer and Goff have broken ranks and won’t rule out crossing the floor.
It’s well overdue for a purge.
Close the door after you, please, fellas.
Agree with you Richard and Steve.
Technically, there is no “crossing of the floor” parliament doesn’t get the democratic right to vote on it, John Key has made sure of that. It’s National’s executive alone who does that.
Yeah, but “will you be willing to cross the floor over this” was the loaded question put to Goff and Mr Mumble by the jonolist reporting on their stance. (I don’t recall if it was on Stuff or in Cameron Slater’s Drop Box (aka NZ Herald)
Good point. Did you read that Shearer is being censured over breaking Labour line on TPP? it’s about time Shearer got put in his place. IMO I think Shearer should resign. Goff got a free pass, for the moment.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11581234
Little should reshuffle to show who is boss. He let Nash off the hook and undermined Labour, what will he do with Shearer and Goff.
If this is true about Goff, don’t think I can vote for him for major.
Can any recommend a left wing candidate standing for major?
Penny Bright ?
Dave and Phil need to sit down and do a bit more reading on some of the many analysis currently made on this so called, “Free” Trade Deal. It isn’t looking very beneficial at all – and even less free.
https://tpplegal.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/ep5-economics.pdf
Yes, there is nothing beneficial about a foreign US corporate takeover.
FFS labour… “Two senior Labour MPs have broken ranks with the party line and declared their support for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), amid rumours that at least one, Phil Goff, could cross the floor of Parliament to vote with National if Labour opposes enabling legislation.”
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11580707
Goff and Shearer do NOT get to vote. John Key has ensured Parliament does not have that right to vote on the TPPA. It’s only National’s executive that has that right. Goff, who is leaving and Shearer who doesn’t really matter, voicing their support doesn’t change a thing. But what IS important is that Andrew Little and his Labour caucus have publicly come out opposing the TPPA, even though it won’t stop National treasonously signing away our sovereignty.
havent those two been pivotal figures in every damn disunity issue for the last 9 years?
They don’t have a say anyway so it is just another red herring.
YES GOFF AND SHEARER MUST GO NOW, THEY ARE LAME DUCKS DRAGGING DEMOCRACY DOWN.
Well done on finally coming out against the TPPA. At last Labour is, albeit belatedly, standing up for the people of NZ and showing a united front of opposition parties to this appalling government.
I am however disgusted at the position that Phil Goff and David Shearer have taken and I strongly believe that, in all conscience – if they have on, they can no longer be members of the Labour Party since they support an agreement that will so severely affect the people the Labour Party is supposed to represent. If they cross the House on this issue, they must resign. If they, and any others within the party, continue to undermine the Labour Party, they must resign.
when even some car enthusiasts start organising 10pm cruises in main centres on Jan 30 against the TPPA you know things are moving beyond activist circles
as was obvious at the 10,000 “Its our future NZ” march in Auckland and 5000 in Wellington, I saw ordinary Westies with homemade cardboard signs getting the bus into “town” for the Auck rally
the 4th Feb rally and march needs to be handled carefully as the difference over tactics has been reflected in a seperate “Blockade” militant minority action, when really the main march should at least stop at Sky City rev up the ministers and move on rather than skirt around it
symbolically the leaders of the parliamentary parties opposed to TPPA should be near the front to send the message for 2017–we are coming for you Keyreepy and the rest of the Nats
New TPPA study at odds with Govt report
by Andrew Little on January 28, 2016
A new US study on the impacts of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement casts doubt on the Government’s analysis of its impact and highlights the need for a truly open debate on the controversial deal, Opposition Leader Andrew Little says.
“A Tufts University analysis written by two senior UN economists shows the likely loss of 6000 jobs over the next decade and a transfer of wealth from working families to corporates under the TPPA.
“It is completely at odds with the Government’s own report which was based on information from before the agreement was completed and which fails to ask one of the most important questions about the deal – how will it affect employment?
“This has been left out of the Government’s analysis or it was never examined. Either way it is a serious omission.
“John Key has shut down any debate about the merits or otherwise of the deal when an open and transparent debate is in the country’s best interests, both on the economics of the TPPA and its erosion of our democratic rights.
“The TPPA allows other countries and big business to have a say on how laws are made in New Zealand. We lost the ability to restrict sales of our homes to overseas speculators even as Australia and other signatories carved this right out.
“Labour supports free trade but this agreement goes beyond trade and is an attack on our democracy. That is why we cannot support it in its current form.
“There can be no trade off between citizens’ rights and economic interests. We don’t put a price on our democracy. It is not for sale,” Andrew Little says.
http://campaign.labour.org.nz/new_tppa_study_at_odds_with_govt_report
Excellent work there WORDS, 1000% good work indeed, this should be displayed on the MSM every day.
I have sent it to John Campbell to raise hopefully, and you should send it to the new Asia Pacific news channel just opened this week.
And indeed John Campbell was quite forceful with Little this evening, demanding to know why Little didn’t take this stand a long time ago, a question a lot of us have.
Differing view on TPPA agreed
by Andrew Little on January 28, 2016
Opposition Leader Andrew Little has given dispensation to MP Phil Goff to take his own position on the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement due to his historic involvement in negotiating its predecessor, the P4.
“Phil has had a longstanding involvement and public commitment to this agreement which differs with the Labour Caucus’ decision that it cannot support the deal in its current form due to its compromise of New Zealand’s sovereignty.
“When the Caucus met recently to finalise its position on the TPP I met with Phil and decided that his longstanding public position was such that he would be allowed to hold a differing view.
“This was discussed by the Caucus as a whole and Phil has made his position known,” says Andrew Little.
Phil Goff said he appreciated his leader’s dispensation in this case.
“I respect Andrew’s and Labour’s views on the issue and their agreement to acknowledge that I came from a different perspective. My position is well known and there is no need for me to elaborate further on it,” Phil Goff says.
http://campaign.labour.org.nz/differing_view_on_tppa_agreed
John key signing his treasonous “blank” deal, that can be modified after, and as yet to be ratified, by the big 6, technically, he is just ticking a box for his foreign US corporate mates, and to do this at National’s crony Skycity HQ, John key is giving all of New Zealand the F you finger as well.
Andrew Little has put up a petition: Standing up for our democracy.
Say no to the TPPA
http://go.labour.org.nz/tppa
We have now signed the petition and am incensed that any Labour MP like Goff & Shearer would see it as acceptable now to stab all us in the back and the Party we pay to keep them in!!!
Then hurting labour by breaking ranks and backing corrupt Key and his clan to back his undemocratic method of signing a policy that will kill our Government effectiveness to protect us against corrupt corporations coming here to rape this country.
Go and leave us Goff & Shearer you backstabbers.
Tonight the Waiheke Local Board has declared Waiheke to be a TPPA free zone. Board member, Shirin Brown (who has guest blogged on TDB), proposed that the island refuse to accept the dictates of the TPPA and the motion was carried unanimously. Waiheke was the first place to declare itself nuclear free and is sometimes like a litmus test of how the rest of the country will go.
Will I need a passport to travel to Waiheke Island from Epsom? Last time I looked on the map, Waiheke is part of New Zealand, you can’t just put your tinfoil hats on and leave New Zealand. New Zealand is a democracy.
50% of labour and Helen are not against it just the unions who pull David’s strings
You don’t get it. We are not against fair trade agreements which gave with fair and reasonable concessions but we are against this particularly dangerous TPPA agreement because it has several bery treacherous and harmful provisions in it.
Oops, let me type that again…
You don’t get it. We are not against fair trade agreements which have fair and reasonable concessions and conditions, but we are against this particularly dangerous TPPA agreement because it has several very treacherous and harmful provisions in it in its current form.
David’s strings? What are you on about and what are you on?
Andrew Little during his state of the nation speech will be also be teaching people who attend (if any) how to make there own tin foil hats.
The man is lost. Stating his position on something now at the last hour is a copout. If he had a pair he would of stood up a long time ago. Respect gone. Goff and Shearer to go. Along with Andrew Little hopefully.
“Goff is making his stand, but he needs Labour backing to win the Mayoralty so crossing the floor might be a bit too far, and there are plenty of new young up and comers who could stand in Mt Albert.”
We need to back him for the mayoralty to get him out of Parliament, don’t we? Bite the bullet, Auckland lefties, and help the country!
The question still needs to be answered that was asked by Lawrie at the Auckland Town Hall meeting …
Why is John Key bending over backwards to sign this thing, why would a small country like New Zealand want to be first?
She said this was a topic of great interest and question in the USA
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