Incredible political insight and oversight into the Meka defection on Marae this morning from the indomitable Claudette Hauiti.
Claudette rightfully pointed out a unique feature of this defection that actually demands attention.
Neither Meka or Willie have attacked each other since the defection and neither have Labour or the Māori Party. That they have been dignified and respectful towards one another despite an enormous sense of loss and anger and sadness at the defection is surprising and refreshing.
That is unique and something we should want more of in politics and our personal lives!
What we are seeing here is the first real political test of the Labour and Māori Party since the Foreshore and Seabed confiscation. If this can be managed with dignity intact, then it shows voters that Labour and the Māori Party can work together, and that it isn’t the scary bogeyman the Right are attempting to enflame it as.
If Labour and the Māori Party can avoid becoming what the Greens are descending into they can go to the election and argue condignly they can work together.
Voters are looking for solidarity, not more factional infighting.
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Martyn’s been Thesauring…
CONDIGNLY:
adverb
1. according to merit.
2. appropriate
Nice and honest article Martyn thank you.
Of course, because they both share the common goal of the destruction of one person, one vote in New Zealand.
They’re all being very nice because it’s a jack up, obviously.
Pre arranged move to increase the chances of the left bloc forming the next government.
Labour has done ore arranged moves and pretended surprise previously :Ardern stepping down to up their polling.
The narrative of everybody being mature here is the manufactured story- this is an anti democratic stitch up abusing the waka jumping law that the Labour itself passed to stop this happening.
Another excellent article Martin. It’s a shame that so many of your regular commenters are dribbling halfwits.
Bob the first, Keepcalmcarryon just to name two.
Labour, the Speaker and the Maori party throw democracy out the Overton window.
Kelvin Davis wasn’t being particularly pleasant about her the other day, so it hasn’t been totally consistent.
Hauiti was right on the button being a Maori women and a gay one at that she will know first-hand what it’s like to be emancipated. I seldomly disagree with Shane Te Pou as he is one of favorite political commentators, but he is not one of us (a Maori woman), so he doesn’t know what it is like to walk in our shoes. I have heard some of our own people dismissing Meka and I totally disagree, in fact I believe she should have left Labour years ago but it’s never too late. Jackson was right Labour did not look after Meka she has lost her confidence and has not been able to reach her full potential in the Labour Party perhaps she can do so in Te Pati Maori. If Meka was selfish as some have said she would have stayed put but she needs to be true to herself and she has made the break. I believe many of our people on the Ikaroa Rawhiti roll will understand as no party owns any seats, she has a good chance of winning this electorate and I for one will be giving her my electoral vote.
Would it be fair to say Meka put herself in the naughty box a couple of times in Labour but the consequences were a lot harder to her than compared to others?
Even now Willie seems to have got away with 3 issues without a peep. Also Kiri seems to have got away with a hell of a lot.
I feel Meka has been harshly treated compared to others. The treatment maybe right, but it isn’t compared to others.
Personally a little side stoush with people is less offending to me than ignoring, breaking parliamentary rules while working for the tax payer.
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