How Mamdani is winning and what the NZ Left must learn for election
Mamdani has been unable to implement the cost of living services that catapulted him into the Mayoralty, but he has managed to maintain popularity while he crafts policy…
“Among those registered voters who voted in the November mayoral election, Mamdani’s support is stronger, with a net 26-point positive approval rating (55% approve, 29% disapprove), compared to a more modest nine-point net positive rating among those who did not vote (35% approve, 26% disapprove),”
Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling
He has grown support despite not delivering policy by cultivating a strong following among working class and young activists by intentionally breaking with mayoral traditions:
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The Met Gala Boycott: His decision to skip the Met Gala to instead highlight garment and warehouse workers on social media went viral. On Instagram, his tribute to the workers who “keep the industry running” received nearly 60,000 likes, with supporters calling it “pure class” and “actual culture.”
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May Day Celebration: He became the first mayor in over a century to officially celebrate International Workers’ Day, delivering a rally speech in Washington Square Park that focused on taxing the wealthiest and expanding union power.
But at some point he is going to have to deliver on subsidising living costs because those costs are going up regardless and that level of desperation and economic anxiety favours his arguments for taxing the rich.
Look at how heavily hit whanau are by the current levels of inequality and poverty generated by the cost of living crisis in New Zealand.
We need fully funded universalism to counter poverty and inequality by providing a baseline level of free fully funded public services alongside new ones like:
- Longer parental leave that can be accessed by a direct family member
- Nationalising ECE so working mums and dads don’t pay an arm and a leg working.
- Free Public transport to subsidise workers, cut emissions and free up roads.
- Iwi/State backed 3rd supermarket chain for cheaper food.
- Free Breakfast and Lunch in every school
People need hope that tomorrow can be better, subsiding child support, extending parental leave, free public transport and expanding food security would do more to help working people, the disabled, students, pensioners young families and kids than vague promises that don’t make any material difference in the lives of those that hope for better.
