Looking like a grinning prune, Winston can barely contain his glee at his return and the potential that has for devestation in the House. I can hardly wait! He's not forgotten Key's smiling character assassination at the last election, and Winston's mind looks to be honed to a keen edge, like a knife (the sword of Damocles) to hang over Key's head. He has, in my opinion, much to gain and nothing to lose. Key might be feeling that his collar's a little tight and over the next few months, tightening. Entertainingly.
I was delighted with the Green result, especially with the success of Holly Walker. She's the young Green face with a powerful mind to boot. Russel and Metiria managed the celebratory stuff beautifully, in particular Metiria's comments on Q&A which were devestatingly encouraging, bold, gutsy and funny as well. What a gal!
While I'm on Q&A, and The Nation for that matter, on both programmes, Winston mentioned but one New Zealand town, Riverton! And he did it twice. What's with that?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
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25 comments:
I expect that people's level of political engagement will rise sharply over the next term of government.
Well done to the Greens, I hope they use their voices to oppose National.
I'm not dissappointed by Labour's showing, as it was in accordance with the polls, and came as a result of their failure to be a decent opposition, despite some great opportunities provided by National.
A combination of a small majority, some new MPs (and existing ones, for that matter) with dodgy backgrounds and little experience, a relaxed attitude to management by their leader, a multi-pronged opposition (with Winston wanting revenge), the media having spotted tears in Key's teflon and a lack of talent behind Key mean:
(a) National will not have an easy time governing, and
(b) it will be fun opposing them until the next election, where National and the right will lose.
I'm picking, on the day after the election, that National will not go the full three years.
Well done Greens, Rg. A stunning result, and so graciously acknowledged by R and M.
I just hope in the coming weeks we get stable, good, government, that listens to people, and delivers results.
I worry a little about Winston being destabilising, trust the Green machine can provide the good sense, and that we let JK govern within the bounds of his limited mandate.
"Twas an interesting night!!
So you think Winston is good for NZ?,and MMP?
I think I have just lost all respect for you Robert.
Enjoy grouching at the pub with your new "mates".
" it will be fun opposing them until the next election"
I think it will, Armchair Critic. I'm looking forward to the merry-making, if only to lighten the mod of what I think will be a torrid 3 years.
The Greens, Winston and Hone will, I hope, be free to lampoon and expose the authoritarian Government. I expect the Maori Party to end as a ragged mess of pottage, torn asunder by their own people, and as for Act, they no longer exist, so discussion of Banks can only be mockery.
Thank you, Fred. I too thought the Greens managed the day/night very well. I think we will see excellent things from them this term.
You believe Key will be restricted by a 'limited mandate'?
I'll be questioning you on this as the term goes by.
Well done to the Greens...although not my cup of tea (no pun intended....)
but I have to say they have slowly been grinding away on labour's support over the last 3 years and with, for them, very good results
Shunda - all of your respect for me has gone?
I could accept that, were you able to show me exactly where I've said that I think "Winston is good for NZ?,and MMP?"
I do expect you to front up on this, Shunda, not dodge and weave or refuse to engage.
Cheers Dutchie. It'll be good for our waterways, one way or another. That issue has risen hugely in importance over the past year or so. The Southland Times sure thinks so! I expect the Greens to lead the charge there, and make a real difference, not a token one.
Robert I am just genuinely confused how you can be positive about Winston and his involvement.
I voted to retain MMP in the end, but my pen hand was trembling a bit with memories of Peters antics.
And while I can accept you want opposition to Key, are you really sure you want to through Peters?
Is it a case of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" but is he Robert?
How can you bring yourself to be encouraged by a guy that stirs up descent among red necks and racists?
How can you swallow that?
Robert...... Keys doesn't need Winston ..he has enough with Banks Dunn and the Maoris party to rule alone !
Well the country can now prepare for a very rocky journey on a down slide ..with more unemployment more credit down grade and assets sold to the Chinese.... This vote of treachery for the smiling assassin Keys I predict will take years "if ever" to return this country to what it was like even just five years ago ...
I am not sure who annoys me more those whom blindly vote for National based on prejudices and hate for change OR those who are so blinded by Keys Media image they refuse to see the wood for the trees OR the 35% whom choose NOT to vote !
I voted this election based on my respect for my pioneer grandparents who with so many others gave us this great country and a democratic society ( especially when you consider the slave like society they came from) .... My love for this country and a deep concern at the obvious secret self interested agenda of National which I didnt feel was good for NZ ...
For the record I voted for a party I have NEVER voted before for !! SO you can change IF you feel strong enough about the issues!!
Today feels like the morning after a big night out. Waking up in a seedy bedroom thinking it was all just a bad dream until you roll over and aaaaargh - its Winston smiling across the bed at you. It's not a friendly inviting smile...
The sort of feeling no amount of scrubbing with Dettol in the shower can get rid of.
New Zealand what have you done?
Paranormal
Shunda - I don't want, nor have I ever wanted, Winston Peters in Parliament. His treatment of he Green Party has been negative and shabby. The rest of his machinations are well reported upon. However, he is back in the House, he got there by didn't of his own grunty efforts and he was, in my opinion, persecuted by Key and National's yelping dogs. I didn't like what was done to him and now that he's followed up, regained his seat and his mojo, I expect there will be theatre and most of it will be directed at the man who 'assassinated' Peters 3 years ago. I like the poetic justice of it all and I'm looking forward to some memorable performances.
Pauline - Key needs Winston ... like a fish needs a bicycle. In fact, he needs him like a hole in the head, as the old, indelicate saying goes. I expect Winston to torment Key. I expect the Opposition to ramp up the pressure several notches and make up for a seeming weak performance over the past 3 years. It should all be good. As for returning to the New Zealand of 5 years ago, that's not going to happen ever. We are on a different course now, and need to reset our compasses, entirely.
Paranormal - you voted Act. That was a wasted vote, yes? Surely you're not happy with the charade that is Banks?
Surely!
You're quite right Robert, I'm no fan of Banks, and I believe he has cost Act a lot of party support (not because of the cup of tea, but because he just isn't an Act person). But I held my nose and voted Act in the hope it would help the good people behind him would come through.
A wasted vote? Yes, but it was always a risk. The other alternative I was seriously considering was not voting at all. PaulineM, whilst I agree with you about what our forebears have provided us, I still believe we have to vote for something we believe in.
Catherine Isaac would have been a huge asset in parliament. NZ needs a wider debate on what is required than what passes for political discourse at present. Catherine would have brought a wider view in a very professional and constructive manner.
Paranormal
Catherine Isaac will be declared leader 'outside of Parliament' of the Act Party shortly. I don't think it will help though. I think Act is extinguished.
We'll see RG. Commentators have been saying that about Act ever since it was founded.
What is true, is when National is popular, Act doesn't do so well. When the Nats drop out of popularity (2014?) is when Act will revive.
All Act really needs to do is come up with a proper communication plan. They've always lacked the ability to communicate effectively with the electorate and allowed the media to fill the void with their own picture.
Paranormal
paulinm says "blindly vote for National based on prejudices and hate for change OR those who are so blinded by Keys Media image they refuse to see the wood for the trees"
Why is it that those who vote for National have to always be blind or hate change or be impressed by Key. I voted for them because I like their policy. And frankly, I would much rather sell stuff than borrow for my kids to repay.
HThe Greens and Winston can have a great time doing nothing and influencing nothing because they were both too silly too work with the Nats. They suit each other really
I wonder what Pauline thinks about the majority of every single electorate in Christchurch voting National for their party vote.
Are they stupid too? evil haters??
Quite ironic the left would have us accept celebrities (Robyn Malcolm for instance) as left wing spokespersons yet condemn an actual politician as being "a shallow celebrity".
I'm looking forward to the merry-making, if only to lighten the mod of what I think will be a torrid 3 years.
Gotta have something to look forward to. Personally, I'm looking forward to manning the barricades, if it ever happens. Until then, I'll spend my time despising authoritarians and their sychophantic supporters.
The Greens, Winston and Hone will, I hope, be free to lampoon and expose the authoritarian Government.
I'll never vote Green again if they go further than a MOU. Abstaining on confidence and supply, or a coalition - too much. As for lampooning - a tick for Winston, and if Labour can get their s**t together, a tick for Labour too. Lampooning is beneath the Green leadership. As for Hone, the Harawira's strong point is somewhat more confrontational.
I expect the Maori Party to end as a ragged mess of pottage, torn asunder by their own people,...
...unless they are smart enough to stay away from National this term...
...and as for Act, they no longer exist, so discussion of Banks can only be mockery.
Yep. Banks is a joke. I reckon that if he was asked if he is an objectivist the resulting look of confusion and stumbling explanation would be priceless. Has he read "Atlas Shrugged"? It probably doesn't have enough pictures or onomatopoeia.
The mojo of Miranda strikes again :o
I expect the Maori Party to end as a ragged mess of pottage, torn asunder by their own people,...
Armchair, please explain who voted for the Maori party on Saturday.
I am trying to see you as anything but a confused lunatic, but struggling with your logic terribly.
You think Maori are left wing "property"?? are you sure it is not the religious ideologically blind left that want to do the "tearing asunder"??
Shunda - the 'mess of pottage' is mine wording and so I guess your criticism is of me, rather than Armchair Critic. That means I'm your 'confused lunatic', with whose logic you struggle terribly. I don't think, and have never thought, that 'Maori' are beholden to the left. On the contrary, there are many Conservative Maori who share ideology with Tories. However, the fall away of support for the Maori Party the election revealed, coupled with comments from Pita Sharples show that grassroot Maori are unhappy with the Maori Party/National Party arrangements of the first term and will likely punish the party at the next election, should the bed-up again.
Suz - Miranda's a resilient pest, that's for sure. Our only hope now is an uncontainable bush fire!
Hmmm, where to start Shunda...at the beginning, perhaps
Armchair, please explain who voted for the Maori party on Saturday.
It wasn't so long ago you were calling me a paranoid narcissist. Now you expect me to be all-seeing and all-knowing?
You are yet to explain how you drew the conclusion about my narcissism, or my paranoia, or provide a substantial response to my comment about how NZ has gone backwards since National were elected. It's pretty unreasonable for you to ask for decent replies when you will not do so yourself.
I am trying to see you as anything but a confused lunatic,
Your interest in my mental health was touching initially, but it's going to get dull pretty quickly. The shortest explanation I can give you is that your internet-based psychological diagnoses are rubbish, and that you are name calling because you have nothing stronger to reply with.
I was running up the Port Hills this evening (which seemed, at the time, to be a poor reflection on my sanity) and contemplated the hypothesis that I am genuinely either a paranoid narcissist, or a lunatic, or both - does this then mean I am not allowed an opinion, or just that you can dismiss everything I say and that you disagree with. Surely if you are correct, you would have a better rebuttal than unfounded allegations about someone you have never met.
...but struggling with your logic terribly.
So, by your own admission you are the one that is struggling - did you consider that this might be more of a reflection on you than it is on me? Take into account that you did not comprehend that the comment you attributed to me was made by someone else.
You think Maori are left wing "property"??
That's drawing a pretty long bow. The short answer is "no".
...are you sure it is not the religious ideologically blind left that want to do the "tearing asunder"??
I don't care what the religious ideologically blind left want, and I don't claim to know - perhaps you could inform me, or speculate. Or just say nothing.
FTR - google informed me of the meaning of the phrase "a mess of pottage" after I replied to RG's comment. Until then I had thought it was sourced from a reference to gardening, rather than to cooking. It's not a phrase I would have used; though the popular meaning is appropriate, I don't like the implications behind the literal interpretation of the phrase. In terms of the issue of the likely fate of the Maori Party, I agree with RG that its future may be bleak. It has lost two of the five seats it held in 2008, and it lost significant ground in the three it won this time. The party vote in these three was won by Labour. The positives that the MP can take from this election are outweighed by the negatives. It's my opinion that they will lose further seats at the next election, and the loss can only be stemmed by restricting their support for the government.
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