I was disappointed that the mass media largely bought the National Party’s spin on the Mt Roskill by-election. National said a loss would be catastrophic for Labour (and Andrew Little would be toast) but a loss for National wouldn’t mean a thing.
After the election John Key claimed it was a Labour seat (because it had been held by a Labour MP Phil Goff) and that Labour’s Michael Wood had been aided by the Greens not putting up a candidate.
However, the voting figures from the 2014 General Election show that National should have had the edge. Not only did National win more party votes than Labour in 2014, but National plus its ACT and Conservative allies beat Labour and its Green ally by 47% to 45% in the party voting.
Surely it was a stunning defeat for National to reach only 27% in the by-election when the 2014 party vote for National plus allies was 47%. They dropped 20 percentage points.
Likewise it was a stunning victory for Labour to poll 66% in the by-election when Labour plus the Greens only got 45% of the party vote in 2014.
The media pundits have recognised Labour’s success, but have largely allowed National to spin out of the blame. National dropping a “safe” seat in Northland, and now losing big in Mt Roskill certainly increases the likelihood that John Key’s party will not survive the next general election.
Well what did you expect from our media? Their echoing of National’s line is par for the course. I’m 100% sure you are aware of this Keith ,and short of a proper competing media source starting up, there won’t be any change.
Keith, we (or most of us) recognize that “our” media is controlled and briefed on what to write/say and, when it comes to TV interviews, how to say it. Notice interviews with jonkey are far more charming than those with Mr Little where there is a constant interrupting stream of “but what I’m asking you” and “why don’t you address … this that or the other”. It’s a game!!!
If Mr Little wants to come out on top and trounce jonkey’s smirking quips he needs the same help that was given to the Iron Lady herself who, after makeover, lowered the voice, spoke slowly, said just enough with such authority as to command and lead the interview. And she was short but never impolite.
Bravo Labour. Now lets see courage and integrity win the day and give back sovereignty and dignity to the land and its people.
Bet the media will pee in their pants on that day!!!
Too many ‘selfies” by the PM in Mt Roskill.
Why not put his own job on the line rather than the dirty politics of gutlessness, in attacking Little
If Mt Rokill is labelled a Labour seat by the P.M. is this not admission by Key that he is NOT governing for “ALL” New Zealanders
Yeah, but you are comparing the party vote and electorate votes, which are not comparable. In the Wellington seats especially, labour politicians get in, but the party vote goes to National.
Yes, but why EE? The same reason Dunne keeps winning Ohariu. Because the Labour MPs that hold those seats have the advantages of incumbency and name recognition, so they win despite the party they are running for being behind in the party vote. With a virtual unknown running for Labour in Mt Roskill, and such a high party vote for National and co in 2014, you would at least expect it to be a close run thing. For National to come in 20% under their 2014 result shows a massive drop in support, and even Key can see the writing is on the wall, which is why he is resigning now, so he can say he was never voted out.
Well said Keith Locke.
“National dropping a “safe” seat in Northland, and now losing big in Mt Roskill certainly increases the likelihood that John Key’s party will not survive the next general election.”
Is why John key resigned 2 days later.
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