The issue with the Labour Green announcement was the lack of sizzle, or for that matter sausage. The line being floated that it won’t ultimately work because NZers some how can’t understand it however is a bit silly and desperate.
If NZers can be enthralled with the Game of Thrones and understand the machinations of the political forces of Westeros then they’ll comprehend  Labour and Greens working together.
If Labour and the Greens can actually stand aside in certain electorates and pick up a few more party votes they do have a shot, unfortunately this latest clumsy fumble of a gesture lines up with other recent clumsy fumbles…
- Andrew Little’s choice of over crowded state house turned out to be the wrong state house.
- James Shaw’s clumsy fumble on Radio NZ pledging support for National after coming out for Labour.
- Labour’s hype over free education that wasn’t really free.
- James Shaw’s stuck in the headlights media performances.
- Labour’s swing and a miss over donations and hotels.
- Greens costly support of Red Peak that went no where.
- Labour’s confused position on TPPA with Phil Goff being allowed to vote for it.
- Greens quickly forgotten state of the nation wonk unit that would wonk on the political promises of Political Parties. Wonk. Wonk. Wonk.
…so lot’s of clumsy slips that don’t imbue trust.
They should have a list of electorates they will work together in and they should have at least a 3 policy platform to fight on.
By not having either of these, Labour and the Greens look indecisive and lacking in ideas.
A united Left terrifies the Right and its media mouthpieces, hence the roar from the pundits, but a lack of imagination in the execution of this civil union hasn’t helped the Labour Green case.
three policy platform
housing
jobs/employment
health
these are areas the Gnats are failing in terribly but there are many others I think the no frills approach is sometimes better but they need to get to work and devise their policies and watch out for the gnats who might steal them cause they have ran out of ideas
3 policy platform
housing
health
employment/jobs
many NZers still don’t know how MMP works
100% M Gray. NatZ won on knowing this.
“A united Left terrifies the Right and its media mouthpieces, hence the roar from the pundits, but a lack of imagination in the execution of this civil union hasn’t helped the Labour Green case.”
Yes correct Martyn,
We see a lot of merit in all collective Opposition forces now setting up a meeting like a Forum of “the coalition of the willing” to eject the toxic Natz and a plan marshalling their resources and endeavours to get a equally astute PR to set them up for the election victory next year.
They lack the prowess of Crosby Textor.
3 policy platform =housing , employment/jobs, health
I’ve been suggesting a 3 party summit arrangement since last election , cross sharing strategies and tactics, – others have as well. I think the non declaring position of NZ First is a frustration to many.
But one thing is to be noticed, and that is the ‘big king hits’ on National are not the ticket,… its the mundane things. And that came with the housing crisis and even budget allocation. Bread and butter things.
Unemployment, health , education and welfare.
The classic standard fare. But its standard fare for a reason. It affects everyone, cannot be called tribal politics if the systems are obviously failing , and not only hits at the heart of the matter,- it hits the wallet as well.
The problem is for Lab/ Greens is timing. They can announce policy, but that could be preempted by National if they disclose details too soon.
By all means work out electorates beforehand to avoid cross purposes, its probably safe to choose 3-4 platforms now though. A balance needs to be struck between giving enough detail and too much detail that can be analysed by National and the MSM on those platforms, the MSM needlessly criticizing and National stealing ideas.
Then logic can be better served with NZ First coming to the agreement – either as Curwen Rowlinson says with an ‘All in’ coalition or as a confidence/supply position…
In fact , without saying too much , that triad situation would hit on all the high notes that are currently afflicting this country – if they played in unison emphasizing each individual party’s strengths of policy… it would be a pretty impregnable position . They would have National by the short and curly’s- and quite easily and early on in the piece.
Think that is a bit hard. Labour are getting there and this is a good move. The MSM and Trolls are all against the alliance so must be a good move.
Also agree with not releasing policy as otherwise it would all be about the policy and not the cooperation. The less information the better this early.
I also think it is a great opportunity for Labour to approach NZ First to talk about how to manage immigration policy in the future and shared interests so they are all on the same page.
Well said. Andrew Little did say he was in discussion with all of the opposition parties. Winston may not publicly admit it, but they are talking
The film of Andrew Little and Robertson having a beer while discussing the budget was pretty gauche too. They have to start being themselves.
Little couldn’t sort his Skype out.
Sort your Skype out Bai
Remember, the Greens have been trying to get an agreement out of Labour for at least four years. They just couldn’t get more than what they got here. Still, this is a start. The worry now is that it won’t go anywhere.
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