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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The frenemy of my frenemy is my enemiend…
It’s obvious the Māori Party and the Labour Party can work together in government. No-one is asking that question.
What they would be working towards as a government is what frightens center and right voters.
No, just right voters.
I suspect it would frighten a lot of the left if they were open and honest about their real goals.
Thats how I see the right, if Nact were open and honest( I will not raise GST) however dare I say it, the right voter base wouldn’t care less.
Just shows that Labour and Maori Party are actually trying to do something and build stuff.
The centre is drifting left.
It may well be left of TPM by election time.
I’m a little left, lot centre and a little right. However, why should I be frightened?
Martyn’s been Thesauring…
CONDIGNLY:
adverb
1. according to merit.
2. appropriate
There is a solid left right division thanks to Meka and JT.
However, TMP leadership wants to play this, they are now firmly left wing and will not be the kingmaker.
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.
Yeah Right! Boooooring!
The cooperation to date is entirely due to self interest ie getting back in to power. The Māori party is a party of separatism not cooperation but Labour are too blinded by woke-tardism to care. Heaven help us if they both get in to power.
No different to ACT and National cooperating.
Cup of tea set up all those years ago and people fell for it. Without Acts cooperation National would be nothing.
This country was founded on separatisms nukefacts
Nukefacts never a truer word.
This is all a set up and people are falling for it.
“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.”
Labour is not going to do anything to piss of the dudes/ettes that just dumped them, as Labour needs them. that is what is happening here. the Queer Party is dying a slow death of self immolation, NZFirst was burned to death by Labour, so this Party has no more mates left. TPM it is or its nothing. Without TPM Labour is toast, chances are forever.
National, can just sit back and wait this out. TPM can do the same, and then send their letter of demand to the two parties of the purple pod called NZ and see who will submit to their demands.
National however can also do a few deals in certain electorates so as to prop up a few friendly right leaning parties, work with ACT and well, before you know it, you might have TPM go with that coaltion in order to be at the table.
Labour has no cards, no chips, and nothing to bargain. So they be quiet and very very polite, after all they not gonna bite the hand that provides their spot in government. Sucks to be Labour.
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.
That’s a mean thing to say about those on the Left that follow this blog.
And like a fly to shit Free Peach dribbled away.
NSC are you always nasty?
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.
Kelvin may be next to defect.
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.
More defections from Labour to Te Pati Maori is my prediction covid is pa.
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.
Labour cannot afford arguments with anybody they think they may need to form a Government.