Some Rhymes For The Times
Merry Christmas everyone
Setting the Agenda
Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
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Playing Sergeant Pepper – The B-Side
In the interests of fairness and balance I thought it only proper to include a retrospective squiz at the parties and groups who ended up on the debit side of the political ledger of 15 years ago.
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“What, No ‘I, Too, Am A Russian Ambassador’?” Why Reactions To This Political Murder Are Different
Something odd I’ve noticed: After an act of terrorism (or other highly publicized egregious act of politically motivated violence), we customarily have a hashtag or a display-pic filter showing solidarity with the victim – indeed, often going so semi-ludicrously far as to claim that we “ARE” the Victim. (I’m sure we all remember #JeSuisCharlie etc.)
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Bill English – the smug, casual arrogance of the wealthy
With the smug, casual arrogance of the wealthy English said there was no need to change policy settings and the government’s approach was working for New Zealanders. English claimed National’s so-called “social investment” policies would deliver better outcomes for struggling families while on housing he said the real problem was local councils failing to make enough land available for urban development and the government was addressing the issue.
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The Supreme Award in Governance at the 2016 Women in Governance Awards
In June Professor Judy McGregor received the Supreme Award in Governance at the 2016 Women in Governance Awards. The Supreme Award recognises a New Zealand woman who has achieved excellence in governance through a lifetime commitment to the promotion, support and mentoring.
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Socialists will stand as an alternative in Mount Albert By Election.
The National Party might be scared of putting forward its views and policies to the people of Mt Albert, but we’re not. There will be a Socialist candidate on the ballot for the By Election on Feb 25th 2017.”
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Playing Sergeant Pepper
“It was twenty years ago today,” according to the famous Beatles’ track, that “Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play”. Unfortunately, the files on my computer don’t go back quite that far. What I can show you, however, is how “the one and only” Helen Clark taught Labour’s band to play exactly fifteen years ago today.
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Scott Watson denied parole again as the case against him falls apart
The evidence now shows that Watson did not kill Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in the Marlborough Sounds on or after New Year’s Day, 1998. Since the trial, the Crown case against Watson has collapsed on all essential points, as demonstrated in books by Mike Kalaugher (The Marlborough Mystery) and Keith Hunter (Trial by Trickery), articles by Mike White, and two major TV documentaries, Murder on the Blade? and another, Doubt: the Scott Watson Case, on TVNZ two months ago.
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What’s Up With Judith Collins’ Recent Demotion
A year ago, the force that is Judith Collins was looming upon us like the sort of saw-toothed smile with a fin on top you might see in a crashing wave just before it breaks. She’d come howling back from the political wilderness to find herself once again promoted back to Cabinet. Two weeks ago, she was in (upset) contention for the National Party’s top job – and the leadership of the nation.
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In Defence Of Conservative Leftism
“CONSERVATIVE LEFTISTS” espousing “conservative leftism” have become a thing. The term is applied (neither generously nor kindly) to those ageing members of the broader New Zealand Left whose understanding of progressive ideals was forged in the 1960s and 70s. Generally speaking, conservative leftists are depicted as political has-beens whose only continuing contribution to the progressive cause involves standing in its way.