I mean, I know it's a pretty desperate time... we're all a bit lost and confused and disappointed, frustrated and seriously peed off at the state of the country right now.
But to see a poll showing New Zealand First potentially over the five percent threshold? I guess it shows how desperate things are for a lot of people.
It's not my place to tell you how to vote, or how not to vote, but what I will say is: just think of the history.
Think of the dramas, the twists and turns, how you thought you had a clear commitment on something, only to see a complete 180 when it comes to the crunch.
Think how many times we've been held to ransom, double-crossed, gaslit, and bullshitted... you really wanna go there again?
I've heard Chris Luxon saying he's focused on National and getting the best result he can, and I think that's the right tack to take.
But I suspect he and other senior figures in the party will be disappointed that they're not yet winning over more of the centre-right or right leaning vote.
ACT has been doing well, and while you want your potential coalition partner to be strong and well run, it's not so much fun when they're eating your lunch.
The conclusion has to be that National has a way to go in getting its message across properly, hitting the right buttons and doing it convincingly.
If it was, what we saw in the Talbot Mills poll last night wouldn't be happening.
People whose natural tendency would be to vote for the Nats aren't convinced. They're not happy. This is a disaffected protest vote.
There's still a long way to go, five weeks of campaigning yet, and of course people don't necessarily always tell pollsters the truth.
To my mind, what we need from this election is a clear decision, one way or the other.
There's a lot at stake. It's not a game.
Tim Dower is a New Zealand journalist who works for Newstalk ZB as a newsreader and substitutes talkback announcer. This article was first published HERE
Think of the dramas, the twists and turns, how you thought you had a clear commitment on something, only to see a complete 180 when it comes to the crunch.
Think how many times we've been held to ransom, double-crossed, gaslit, and bullshitted... you really wanna go there again?
I've heard Chris Luxon saying he's focused on National and getting the best result he can, and I think that's the right tack to take.
But I suspect he and other senior figures in the party will be disappointed that they're not yet winning over more of the centre-right or right leaning vote.
ACT has been doing well, and while you want your potential coalition partner to be strong and well run, it's not so much fun when they're eating your lunch.
The conclusion has to be that National has a way to go in getting its message across properly, hitting the right buttons and doing it convincingly.
If it was, what we saw in the Talbot Mills poll last night wouldn't be happening.
People whose natural tendency would be to vote for the Nats aren't convinced. They're not happy. This is a disaffected protest vote.
There's still a long way to go, five weeks of campaigning yet, and of course people don't necessarily always tell pollsters the truth.
To my mind, what we need from this election is a clear decision, one way or the other.
There's a lot at stake. It's not a game.
Tim Dower is a New Zealand journalist who works for Newstalk ZB as a newsreader and substitutes talkback announcer. This article was first published HERE
11 comments:
You are right tim. It is not a game. This election will be a make or break for nz democracy and for freedoms that our grandparents fought and died for not all that long ago.
"Think how many times we've been held to ransom, double-crossed, gaslit, and bullshitted... you really wanna go there again". Tim, would you kindly elucidate - how about telling the readers exactly what the bullshit & gas-lighting has been ? It's not like the nats & act have never done that. In fact, the main parties have gas-lit the whole population massively over the last 4 years. Not one of the gutless wonders got off their arse to meet with the protesters at parliament. Tim, sadly, your column is as banal as your radio slots
Luxon has been warned - ad nauseam - about National's weak position on co-governance/democracy. (Except for repeal of a few public service laws)
He and his people will not listen.
There is a lot at stake for all western democracies, or should that read once were democracies?
One doesn’t have to be religious, as Archbishop Vigano is, to see how completely the Western World today reflects the description in the Book of Revelation. Power has been transferred from the people to authorities throughout society and countries. Sexual perversity is being normalized. Normality is being mocked. Truth ridiculed as misinformation. Hatred encouraged among races. The rule of law turned from a shield of the people into a weapon against them. War is liberation and building democracy. Integrity, honor, justice are extinguished. Wantonness encouraged. Evil acts and thoughts are everywhere to be found.
Yes, you are right Tim, there's a lot at stake and it's not a game.
Luxon & Willis are the hand break on National's polling. They should 15+ percentage points, at least, ahead of the worst Government NZ has had.
All manifestation of things Maori must be removed for ever from the democratic and equal government of the sovereign state known for the last 183 years as New Zealand.
But who's really listening.
This cannot be one of many vague policies from the various parties.
It must be the absolute bottom line. Dedication and courage is required to see this through.
It won't be easy, this cancer has infiltrated our society at every level.
Look I'm starting to swing behind Labour. They gave me and the wife $16,000 off 2 Tesla's now they're going to give us $14,000 off double glazing the bach !
Why wouldn't you vote for them ?
For Labour such policy is more important than, hospital staff and well dozens of major issues I can think of.
Obviously the PREFU is going to be a bed of roses!
Clearly the genius of Labour's financial management knows no limit !
No - you are not at all clear about NZ First. I think National needs them. People keep saying how unreliable Winston is - Well that's a joke - talk about the pot and the kettle.
'
Think of the dramas, the twists and turns, how you thought you had a clear commitment on something, only to see a complete 180 when it comes to the crunch.'
This accurately describes both Labour and National, except they pretend otherwise. NZF is at least honest about what to expect.
Winston wants all the govt depts to use English names. That alone is worth supporting him for. He will give spine to the others. My worry is that Winston and Shane living up north will, like many others, be afraid for their lives to follow through their pro democratic anti pro maori, maori cogovernace/control, anti separatist stance.
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