Ranking the new Labour Shadow Cabinet

ByMartyn Bradbury

While I am still angry that Chippy screwed the election with a terrible election policy platform that was more right wing than the British Tory party, I have softened my stance that he should be shot at dawn.

His agreement that he will clean the policy slate and start again is enough to steady the ship and have a long hard look at what Labour actually stands for and what they are prepared to fight for.

Let’s keep him around.

The Shadow Cabinet is probably the strongest Shadow Cabinet in recent political history.

The full line-up:

  • Chris Hipkins – Leader of the Opposition, Ministerial Services, National Security and Intelligence

Has already shown his skill as the Leader of the Opposition. Has held National’s feet to the fire over Luxon’s handling of Winston, and has been a powerful counterweight in the news. Was strong when he called for a ceasefire. Those moments of political courage matter.

  • Carmel Sepuloni – Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Social Development, Pacific Peoples, Auckland Issues, Child Poverty Reduction

Look, I want to like Carmel, I really do, but her time as Social Minister was just bullshit. We suspended thousands of people from benefits, we didn’t implement all the welfare recommendations and the whole issue of dumping the Children’s Commissioner stank to high heaven. She has to take a completely different policy package towards welfare forwards if she is to gain any actual mana in this field.

  • Grant Robertson – Finance, Racing

So desperately needed.

  • Megan Woods – Climate Change, Energy, Resources, Associate Finance

She is going to have to spend time getting ready to take over when Grant finally steps down

  • Willie Jackson – Māori Development, Broadcasting and Media, Employment, Associate Housing, Associate Workplace Relations and Safety

The only one who knows how to scrap. Will be essential in the strategy to build a Māōri electorate strategy that maximises MMP.

  • Dr Ayesha Verrall – Health, Public Service, Wellington Issues

Now we get the full scope of NZ Firsts weird Conspiracy Swamp, her scientific credibility will be essential in pointing out the anti-science quackery.

  • Kieran McAnulty – Shadow Leader of the House, Housing, Local Government, Regional Development

Has real star power and intellectual heft.

  • Willow-Jean Prime – Children, Youth, Associate Education (Māori)

She’s so cool.

  • Ginny Andersen – Police, Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Social Investment, Associate Social Development

Good. I don’t care about the latest bulling accusations. She’s smart.

  • Jan Tinetti – Education, Women

I want to like Jan.

  • Barbara Edmonds – Economic Development, Infrastructure, Associate Finance
  • Peeni Henare – Defence, Sport and Recreation, Associate Health

Should move on.

  • Priyanca Radhakrishnan – Conservation, Disability Issues, NZSIS, GCSB

Super smart.

  • Jo Luxton – Agriculture, Biosecurity, Rural Communities
  • Duncan Webb – Deputy Shadow Leader of the House, Justice, Regulation, Earthquake Commission, Christchurch Issues

Smart, I like him. He should have smashed the Supermarkets!

  • Deborah Russell – Revenue, Science, Innovation and Technology, Associate Education (Tertiary)
  • Rachel Brooking – Environment, Food Safety, Space
  • Damien O’Connor – Trade, Associate Foreign Affairs, Associate Transport

I’ve always liked Damien.

  • David Parker – Foreign Affairs, Shadow Attorney General, Electoral Reform

Should have his Wealth Tax!

  • Kelvin Davis – Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Should look to move on.

  • Tangi Utikere – Chief Whip, Transport, Oceans and Fisheries, Associate Education (Pacific)
  • Camilla Belich – Junior Whip, Workplace Relations and Safety, Emergency Management
  • Arena Williams – Assistant Whip, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Building and Construction, State Owned Enterprises

I think Arena is a future superstar of the Party.

  • Phil Twyford – Immigration, Disarmement and Arms Control, Associate Foreign Affairs

Thank God he has been finally allowed back in.

  • Greg O’Connor – Assistant Speaker, Courts, Veterans

Should stay on, important electorate to hold.

  • Jenny Salesa – Ethnic Communities, Customs
  • Rachel Boyack – ACC, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Animal Welfare
  • Adrian Rurawhe – Whānau Ora, Associate Māori Development

A wonderful human being and the best Speaker NZ ever had.

  • Rino Tirikatene – Corrections, Land Information
  • Helen White – Community and Voluntary Sector, Small Business and Manufacturing, Associate Justice

Just keep her away from Auckland.

  • Ingrid Leary – Seniors, Mental Health
  • Lemauga Lydia Sosene – Internal Affairs, Associate Pacific Peoples, Associate Social Development and Employment
  • Reuben Davidson – Statistics, Digital Economy and Communications, Associate Broadcasting and Media
  • Cushla Tangaere-Manuel – Tourism and Hospitality, Forestry, Cyclone Recovery

 

This is a good Shadow Cabinet.

Labour must take the Summer to truly think about what their purpose is.

They must comprehend their policy failure.

What is their value?

They must be able to put together a new vision.

A State built to help the people, not a State built to hurt the people.

Our social infrastructure needs total upgrade.

Tax the rich to fund that upgrade.

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21 Comments

  1. I’ll reserve my judgement until I’ve observed them in action. Everyone gets a job so we get the chance to do that.

    Lots of new faces but I have no real idea who many of them are.

    Will Labour hear the message the electorate sent?

    Will Labour find it’s soul again?

    Will Labour and Hipkins especially eat humble pie and work with the Greens and Te Pati Maori to build a unified, effective opposition to the Coalition of Cruelty?

  2. They will be good, as talking is all they were good at….follow what I say, not what I do!

    1. Seems like Willis and Luxon are good at talking and not delivering (already). They are the laughing stock of the world. Labour were never that low.

  3. Most are past used by date. But desperately thin talent pool means they limp on

    Losing Nash, Wood, Allan, Angry Andy and Dr Sharma is talent that can’t be replaced.

  5. Yeah, I worry about Hipkins. He turned out to be Luxin Lite and doesn’t seem to comprehend how totally he fucked everything up.

  7. It will be easy to knock this government down because they are already self imploding. How can Shane Reti defend the anti smoking legislation how can he defend a cooker and a racist as his associate health minister. How can a non teacher Stanford turn the education stats around “Piha rescue” anyone. Enough said about Willis and her snakes and snails . Winston Peters is pushing his conspiracy theories for all he’s worth . All this government is doing is getting rid of stuff which like de cluttering (when you put your mind to it )is quite easy. Let’s face it they haven’t got a clue, it must be utter chaos behind the scenes at the National party all that donation money for nothing. The chaos in parliament will be worth watching , lazy Brownlee will be asking for Mallard to come back that’s how bad it going to get. Bring on the popcorn and let the fun begin. Still Not My Government

  8. “Labour must take the Summer to truly think about what their purpose is” Labour already know what their purpose is. Hanging onto their seats and administrating capitalism. Banging on and on about Labour taxing the rich to help the poor is just windy posturing.

  9. Lots of chaff. Should be in order of political nous; Robertson (leader), Parker (dept), McAnulty (Almost everything else), Woods.
    Sepuloni, Jackson, Davis, White. You gotta be joking

  11. Most of these only got in by slim margins .Not a ringing endorsement no fresh faces just a bunch of losers playing at politics

    1. Just like the previous election and now this previous bunch of losers just playing politics have got back in. Big Ben pies Brownlee, Benson and Hedges Bishop, corrupt Collins etc etc.

  12. Hipkins doesn’t have the Ardern touch – speaking outside his institution. He will do okay against the manifest stupidity of the 3way – (one might’ve thought the Gnats might’ve learned from Key’s failure with one) – but no sign of coherent planning ability.

    Robertson is inadequate – Labour need a finance minister strong enough to chide Treasury – Cullen could, Robertson can’t. Up his game or send him out – unless kicking the can down the road were somehow imagined to be adequate.

    Megan Woods – superficially competent – rather questionable given inadequate housing outcome.

    The rest – big on representation, no Left chops to speak of. Yes, most are infinitely more talented than the “government” in power. But look how little we have to show for it. Until they realize it, why would anyone support them?

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