…and here it is:
https://www.politicalcompass.org/nz2014

Interesting that the Greens were far more “left” in 2014 than any other party except Mana, and at the same time the most “libertarian” party on the spectrum by far.

Honestly, in my darker moments I fantasize about strapping down every news media staffer in the country in one of those forced-viewing chairs from A Clockwork Orange, and making them stare at this for at least a few days. Hopefully that would put paid to the delusional nonsense they routinely spout about which parties inhabit “the centre”, and whether that’s even a good thing.

Here we see NZ First key messages for trying to pull votes from the Greens:
* Greens are overseas controlled.

I know of no reason to be believe this. Evidence please?

* Greens will support National in 2017.

This is delusional. Greens have already indicated they will probably go with Labour, via the MoU. They declare before each election who they will consider working with, and they stick to it, unlike NZ First who insist on leaving us guessing until after the election.

* Greens usually go with “the right” in Europe, so they will in NZ.

Each Green Party makes its own decisions about who to work with, based on the political situation in their own country. In the neo-liberal age, its not always obvious from a distance who is “left” and who is “right”. Some would argue that the Greens working with NZ First would be going with “the right”.

As for “Winston could be our Trump”, yes, there are vague similarities in some of their nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric, but comparing Winston to a corporation-owning, capitalist buffoon like Trump is an insult to Winston that I don’t think he would have deserved even at his 1996-8 worst.

I agree, Cleangreen. Frank is not noted for tolerating fools, but his measured response to Curwen indicates (I think) that he holds the young man in high regard.

Time will tell who is right on this issue.

If you think Labour is “center-left”, then I’d suggest having a look at where politicalcompass.org had Labour for the 2014 election.

Frank;

Noted.
Well done.

Cheers.

Bonus. See Tracy’s well researched speech on education.

Iain, I have a lot of time for Tracey Martin – she is a real credit to New Zealand First; https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/ms-heka-goes-to-wellington/

Frank;

To admit you may be wrong shows real strength of character. I applaud you.

To bring up something from so long ago,what were you thinking?

It’s time to get on board with NZF now Frank.

We now know how the Deep State works and I put it to you who else will carry the banner of Nationalism and Sovereignty.?

National,Labour,Greens really are controlled by off shore forces whether you
are prepared to admit it or not. (Think Geoff)

With this new Green leader I would not be surprised if they went with National
to push Key over the line again in 2017 (he still has much work to do) if it meant
keeping Winston out of power.
Greens usually go with the right in Europe in their MMP systems (eg Germany)

People can change their politics when confronted with new and up to date
information like you yourself have already alluded too.

Below is Winston’s State of The Nation speech 2016 ALL NZ’s should read.

And a couple more, in order, of 2016.
Thank god we still have the independent website http://www.scoop.co.nz/index.html

http://community.scoop.co.nz/2016/01/rt-hon-winston-peters-state-of-the-nation-speech/

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1602/S00340/winston-peters-speech-realising-real-opportunities.htm

http://business.scoop.co.nz/2016/02/27/speech-by-new-zealand-first-leader-winston-peters/

Bonus. See Tracy’s well researched speech on education.
http://nzfirst.org.nz/updates/speeches

Finally my comment from elsewhere.

Winston could be our Trump if we all got in behind. He is the Nationalist.

ie,Gain enough votes to beat Labour and Greens thus becomes PM. !!

Spread the word.

The idea whose time has come.

http://www.reenagagneja.com/ron-paul-3/

Cheers.

A heartwarming example of ‘how to disagree constructively’ at its finest. 🙂

While I usually have to agree with all Curwen writes about NZF, I have never voted for them and never would…

As long as they will not commit themselves in advance to what’s right, rather than what’s politically expedient.

Under our MMP, the Maori party seem the prime example of a party that will do whatever it takes to be in government (expediency).

The Green party ‘ will do whatever it takes not to be in government’ (values, doing the right thing rather than the expedient thing).

And NZF will keep people in the dark about what it will do.

Again and again we read …’and in this latest poll, (yet again) NZF will decide on who gets to govern, Winston is kingmaker’, and variations on that theme.

Though larger than NZF, the Greens have never been cited as possible kingmakers precisely due to letting it be known, consistently and in advance, that there are levels (like everyday business under National) to which they just will not stoop.

Respect for consistent ethical choices can be slow to arrive, especially when winning by expediency looks so clever and laudable. So clever and laudable that having zero ethics starts looking like the greatest virtue.

We have a party which says (once you’ve learnt to see past the lies) ‘Vote for us first and then you’ll find out how we intend to wreck society.’

If NZF wants to avoid the continuing risk of looking like National in sheep’s clothing, I believe it will one day have to take the plunge and risk losing in a good cause.

To have people vote for it because they know they can trust it, not in the hope that it won’t betray them.

Thanks CB – a great article.

Yep – I would like to be wrong about Winston too. Once bitten, twice shy. He said all the right things beforehand last time.