A statement made by Ron Mark when interviewed about how coalition negotiations have gone in the past with NZ First. Unfortunately, he went on to say in the article that not only was she ready to sell her grandmother, but she did.
Ouch.
What an indictment on an already unpopular leader. But it should serve as a warning to Luxon and co as they head into the rocky, murky waters, that is the negotiation of coalition deals. Hopefully they don’t feel they need to sell the grandparents.
Two other things to bear in mind: one, Winston’s’ a wily old dog, and two, Luxon is new to this politics game. I hope he’s flanked by enough political savvy to keep him from trying to flog the family jewels, but then again, he may not even need Winston. All the talk of the specials leaning left I don’t buy this time round. Remember, a lot of those specials are overseas voters – the very ones who got locked out, pinged in MIQ, missed funerals for loved ones, or scarpered overseas post the lockdowns, in disgust with where our country was going. The brain drainers... how do you reckon they’re voting?
Yes, the specials tend to lean left – as they have in the past, but this time round is different. This time who's to say they won’t go the way the rest of the votes have gone, a punishment for Labour? The Greens of course always pick up all the student votes, and they may pick up those disgruntled Labour voters who can’t bring themselves to vote for National – but we wait, we watch, we hope for the best.
And when I say the best, I genuinely believe a two-party government beats a three-party one, purely because there are less moving parts. I said this before the election and I still believe it. And no, it’s not because I hate Winston, as some texters have accused me, I just don’t believe he adds value. He has pet projects he obsesses with: racing, provincial growth fund, superannuitants, but outside of that he seems to not really care. He's a lot of noise and grandstanding, not a lot of action. Although super gold card holders will disagree, they probably think he's the messiah. I’m just not sure NZ First voters this time will get what they wanted or hoped for, out of their vote for him – especially if he’s not even in government.
So a tricky time of negotiations ahead and I’m not sure how over it we all are in terms of being happy not to hear about any politics for 3 weeks while they sort it out, or desperate to be across every aspect as they go. I mean when Luxon says we’re not negotiating it through the media, that’s fair enough and I believe that’s his wish. But what if ACT or NZ First – if they’re involved, think differently? You’d like to think that with so much rhetoric around the grownups being back in charge, that they would actually all act like grownups, but we’ll see.
The temptation to use the media will loom large for anyone feeling disgruntled, but it will be a particular irony if that’s Winston given he’s so adept at shunning them and talking them down all the time. But you just know that if anyone's going to loop them in, leak, and play a negotiating game including them, it will be him. Oh the irony.
So a long three weeks ahead? Or we just don’t care? Let me know what you think.
Kate Hawkesby is a journalist and broadcaster who hosts the Early Edition show on Newstalk ZB.
7 comments:
This trip must succeed - and fast. End of story.
I think it's far better to have Winston in your team on your conditions, than to exclude his party. New Zealand is in such a bloody mess socially and economically, there is a huge workload ahead of this government. NZ First has some real, practical experience in it's ranks, and will be very valuable working through the racial division issues, plus law and order. Winston would make (as he has done before) an admirable foreign affairs minister for the next 3 years, at a time where diplomacy will be essential in areas such as trade negotiations with India.
Off topic, but I think we all owe a heartfelt thanks to Muriel Newman and her team over the last 3 years. It was (and probably still will be) a formidable task to swim into the strong MSM current. It is only sites like this that have kept some media balance, and have contributed significantly in helping to overturn this tyrannical, evil Ardern mob. It has no doubt been a huge, ongoing commitment. Thankyou.
I too am grateful to Muriel Newman’s wisdom for creating Breaking Views. The MSM have proven to be nothing more than charlatans that they are by promoting Govt approved propaganda.
At least we won't get any more polls for a while.
Winston in that notorious interview with Jack Tane , promised he would be taking over the Broadcasting portfolio. That would be good.
I like Winston because all the topics he tackled countered the Ardern government's favourites which Act and Nat's skirt around. These include a deeper inquiry into the covid management and injuries, the transgender agenda and removing us from UNDRIP,and other Maori anti- democracy stuff including gangs .
The alternative media are still the only ones discussing the flawed science of climate change. All those tiny parties like NZ Loyal etc do have some good ideas that need to be heard and Reality Check Radio features them but they have probably been labelled sources of disinformation as all alternative views have come to be called that counter the narrative This has to cease.
It is easy to get caught up in identity politics, with speculation around Mr Peters being an example. What about the party NZF, what might they have to offer as a group?
I think we can have some faith in the new PM to weigh up the respective talents (or otherwise) of NZF as a potential coalition member, and choose accordingly.
Like others, my thanks go to NZCPR for providing alternative news and views, as well as a forum for sharing of those views. Our MSM has been woeful, with occasional exceptions.
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