If the establishment Left don’t like the rise of TOP, perhaps they should reflect on the current state of the NZ Left?
Lot of noise from the establishment Left criticising TOP and claiming that they will side with NZF, ACT and National.
Couple of thoughts.
First up, I’m a working class socialist so I am NOT voting for TOP, but TDB was the first to recognise that TOP would break the 5% threshold this year and that’s why I’ve written so many blogs on TOP and why I have had Qiulae on The Bradbury Group more than anyone else.
I don’t even think the mainstream media in NZ covered when TOP broke the 5% threshold in the first Roy Morgan Poll.
TOP appeals to second generation migrant communities who want to be Kiwis yet feel alienated by the major parties, Qiulae’s optimism appeals to them and TOP policy appeals to all those Gen Xers who don’t own property.
Now.
I have been fortunate enough to talk to Qiulae privately many times and here is my assessment of her and TOP.
They are disrupters and believe in the reform they are promoting.
The difference between TOP and National, ACT and NZF is that they actually take climate change seriously, and it is essentially this issue that I believe makes it impossible for them to find common ground with National, ACT and NZF who at heart are all climate denial parties.
National is so in the pocket of the Big Polluters that they take secret direction when passing laws FFS.
That is an anathema to TOP.
In the background of TOP you have former National MP Jackie Blue who was scathing on the Coalition Governments pay parity kneecapping and Ian Lees-Galloway who is a former Labour MP.
Also look at the analysis of where TOP are picking up support is from Green and Labour supporters who want the Party to go with the Left, not the Right.
If the establishment Left don’t like the rise of TOP, perhaps they should reflect on the current state of the NZ Left?
Te Pati Māori ripped itself to pieces with internal strife.
The Greens spent most of the last 3 years fighting their own internal woke factions.
Labour’s election policy is, ‘we are slightly less cruel than National’.
Look. I am going to use my 2 votes for either Labour, Greens or TPM so TOP ain’t my block of cheese, but the best outcome for the Left is a Labour/Green/TPM/TOP Government if we can’t get a Labour/Green/TPM Government.
To ensure TOP don’t rob TPM of any political leverage, the Kakariki Alliance between Greens/TPM must be in effect to guarantee the united negotiating front from Greens/TPM so TOP don’t simply push out TPM.
I want National, NZF and ACT out of power and if TOP can be allies in building a better NZ, I welcome them to the fold.
If TOP decide however to hitch their wagon to National, they will see first hand how tribal politics really is because National will not and can not provide TOP with the climate change disruption they are promising, and dashed electoral hopes will sink TOP raising above 5% again.
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TOP was formed by Gareth Morgan a massively wealthy bored individual to give himself something to do. A disruptor ? yes and TOP still are but not the disruption we desperately need. They support the current economic system that has served many in New Zealand extremely well including the TOP party membership and would be MP’s at the expense of so many of our people and will never know the hardship and loss of their economic rights they have suffered for far to long.
This party aren’t about confronting the evils of the current corrupt system that is failing they are all about feel good politics with some novel ideas rather than real reform and solid policy that would provide the disruption we desperately need.
Hipkins has already taken the line that MMP is ok until he is being asked to share power. He is a FFP politician and is terrified of his own shadow. TOP will soon become disillusioned with the incrementalism and its failure to disrupt within the neoliberal straightjacket and realize that their future is limited as was Peter Dunne and other colorful creations in recent political history.
Really would like to give ‘Q’ and TOP a crack at the top table. (See what I did there?） Anything has to be better than the bald smirk that is our current PM and his emotional support group of barely loyal cabinet, ACT storm troopers and the retirement village that is NZ First!
Don’t know that I’m a TOP voter but have read up on their candidates. They are young-ish and enthusiastic, just what we need in parliament. They will get the corners knocked off in time but I hope they hold fast to their desire to help NZ.
TOP may appeal to a fair few righties who can’t bring themselves to vote left but realise the present lot are completely mad and dangerous with it.
As many have said, we’re sick of the damned dinosaurs in parliament. If they have been there 3 terms, that’s enough. You get to the point when you see they aren’t there for our benefit. They have found a nice comfy position and they intend to keep it.
Perhaps TOP can usher in a better parliamentary environment to replace the dirty, divisive, cheating and undermining that goes on now.
But, it really surprises me that the election is still on a knife-edge. What on earth attracts voters to the nasty right? Do they honestly think they won’t be thrown to the wolves too, at some point.
They will do their own thing and find their own way. TOP will hold the centre ground like Peter Dunne’s United outfit but with better policies. At this point in time I’m only worried about getting over that 5% barrier, the ‘horse trading’ can come later. GO TOP!!!!
Last election TOP had a great candidate in Chch who was doing well until he explained their tax system. Support dropped like a stone and he was out . While they could fall in line with Labour I doubt if TPM or factions of the Greens would appeal to TOP