I don’t think James was held hostage as he had a lot to do with choosing who the strategists and tacticians were. Some specifically became involved with the party after he asked them.

When submissions were invited for opinions on the election, in my contribution I pretty much pointed out the things you have said and even said that if I didn’t know better I would have thought the election was being sabotaged, starting with the dire decision to criticize Winston Peters for being racist at the campaign opening when he was certain to be part of any left wing coalition.

I would like to know (but probably never will) where the two female co-leader candidates stood in all of this. I think, for all the positive qualities James Shaw has, an alternative is needed to balance his decision making and those of his supporters around him.

That said, I think a large part of the responsibility for the last campaign has to lie with Metiria.

I also think a lot of Green members are not asking too many questions because they are relieved to have survived, to even be part of the government, and think James Shaw did a good job of saving the day.

I think what saved the day was simply the foundation support that the Greens had anyway. James campaigned for the co-leader role on the basis that a lot of people thought about voting for the Greens but didn’t actually vote for them and he would turn this potential into Green votes. I thought it was a sound argument at the time but now see that essentially it was based on an assumption. Just because people say they are thinking about doing something, doesn’t mean they actually ever will. And the given the outcome, James Shaw has to be judged on the fact that the vote count actually dropped significantly and almost saw the party out of Parliament. This should really have seen him resign as co-leader.

All that said, I too remain a staunch Green supporter because of what it stands for.

your wish has come true – the greens are not voting for it – but the tories will help get it through..

Interestingly enough, as I alluded above, some are championing the Greens stance on the TPP even though their current opposition won’t prevent the signing of the TPP.

Whereas, the Greens threatening to take a genuine stand (forcing Labour to choose between remaining the Government or maintaining their support for the TPP) is the only thing that has a real chance of stopping the TPP.

After nine long years in opposition, I don’t see Labour (or NZF) opting for another election and risk losing their newly attained power.

All experienced Green Party MPs are ministers. The rest don’t really have the chops for trade and foreign affairs. A lot of the Green trade talent got the purge during the Metiria ruckus. So consider the Greens relative inexperience on this matter.

If you need a dealer I don’t want to know you. Sorry I couldn’t help you in your search for a dealer Phillip. But you seem to have ideas for how to communicate, ie insert irrelevant questions.

Considering what I, as a vaguely Green Party proponent, got from your comment (too left-wing for me, but they dont make me butthurt), imagine what blue-greens like those in swing electorates might get out of Green Politics.

My point is that James Shaw and the Green Party is fighting an up-hill battle. Even more so than the Luddites, considering the Chinese skew in NZ politics.

the ‘metira beat-up’ was a self-inflicted injury…let’s not forget that..

one for which turei must take ultimate responsibility..

and one for which one would hope the entire green ‘tactician’/advisor cabal was forced to walk the plank..

that those idiots sat there nodding their fucken heads and tugging their forelocks at the same time..and nobody went: this is a very badly thought out plan of action’ – (or stronger)..?

really..?…nobody foresaw how this could go so pear-shaped so quickly..?

and if they didn’t see this – why t.f. are they still there..?

(the green party leadership has a long history of preferring to surround themselves with yes-people/forelock-tuggers…) valid-criticism is often viewed as dissent..

the worst-case scenario/outcome from preferring toadies to vigorous critique..

is what happened to metiria..

the media were just handed it on a plate..

blaming them alone is a bit rich..

anyone with half a brain can see it was self-inflicted..

will the greens learn from this..?..

one would hope so..but holding ones’ breath in expectation – could be parlous to health..

could i have the number of yr dealer..?