Surely not. Can vaguely remember ElZorro bleating on about National doing this kind of thing....
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Nobody takes much notice of Hooto but interesting
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...ectid=12066447
The reason for the urgency is suggested by its context. After Labour's mishandling of the sexual assault allegations at its summer camp, Winston Peters' inexplicable stance on the Russian chemical weapons attack in the UK, Phil Twyford's comical Pt Chevalier KiwiBuild announcement, and the scandal involving Clare Curran and RNZ, Ardern was desperate for something — anything — to reassure her core supporters.
The National Party had/has an even better system. They simply invoice a few well-heeled business-people from each electorate each month on an ongoing basis on behalf of the local MP, and this might be a few hundred or few thousand dollars a month, but for that donation, the business leaders get to have a lunch or dinner with ministers or senior party members, regularly. It's all about these businesses getting to lobby ministers about their pet ideas, to have a line through to the beehive. Or, they'll have a golf tournament with a very high entry fee, it's much the same.
Maybe Labour is getting a bit tired of the constant raising of funds from begging emails to all and sundry on their mailing list. Stuart Nash has been pretty good at raising funds for his campaigning, but much of it comes from a few well-off friends I think. He's one of the few exceptions.
Regardless, since the Labour/NZFirst/Green coalition is in power now, some of these corporate donations might be dropping off for National. Business owners will be looking for a similar setup from Labour, maybe that's why these $600 lunches have worked out OK. Believe me, it's small time compared to what National had been doing.
Sorry I'm a bit slow EZ and don't understand your obfuscated response to blackcap. In your view, is fundraising like this OK or not ?
Let's just say I didn't know until more recently about National's system of fundraising from affluent business owners and the like. It doesn't feel OK that these people could have a much more direct line to lobby MPs and ministers, than most of us do. MPs all know that campaign money usually results in equivalent votes for those parties that have a long-term branding and marketing effort. That's the big four, they always get about 85%-90% of the party vote between them. Some National MPs in the big rural electorates run three offices. Most of the money comes from parliamentary services, but those offices are only there for the populace, not for party use. Their campaigns still have to be funded too.
There's two things there. One is access to MPs and Ministers, The other is money donated to a party.
Access is relatively straightforward. Yesterday I spent the best part of an hour with my local MP on a complex policy topic. Also yesterday a mate spent time with a Minister, again on a policy topic.
In each case it was a matter of requesting an appointment. We are both ordinary people, not lobbyists or rich and famous.
Our representatives seem to be very accessible, even meeting in cafes sometimes.
Fundraising is a different beast. Some donors support multiple parties. Some support the one they agree with. Some donors seem to manage a nudge nudge wink wink with supporters of their industry. Can't possibly imagine which Deputy PM might be involved in anything like that.
Commendable effort by Labour in Northcote
Some reckon Bridges didn’t help Nats cause...result doesn’t really matter but no doubt analysed to death to prove what you want ...like Kirton already touting a moral victory
The trend is good, now that he's established his name there and made the previously strong National seat marginal, Shanan should be able to take Northcote in the 2020 elections.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/loc...te-by-election
A little dissapointed. National got about the same % of votes as last time 51%. Voter turnout was way down 21000 v 37,000 at election. Labour candidate has integrity and values and is a local, the other guy to me is a salesman.
What a surprise - JT is trashing the winning candidate. Let me guess - it must have been the National candidate who won?
So - "just a salesman". Not sure what's wrong with that anyway, but for JT are probably just blue collar workers and farmers honest people, and we are not so sure about the farmers either -aren't we, JT?
BTW - The name of the other guy who did win the election is Dan Bidois. Admittedly - he is young (but so is Taxinda) and he has got already quite a career:
Manager, Strategy and New Ventures - Foodstuffs North Island Limited
Strategist/Fellow - Malaysia Blue Ocean Strategy Institute
Economist/Policy Analyst - OECD
Research Analyst - The New Zealand Institute
Ah yes, and he started his career as president for the Auckland University Students' Association. Must have quite a spine and outstanding leadership skills prepared to put his foot down against the red flood and the unions. No wonder JT does not like him.
BTW - I can't find "salesman" on his CV :p;
JT - you are so predictable, but confirming an unknown Labour candidate integrity (and implying with that the National candidate "just a salesman" has none or less?) is just one of your too frequent dirty smears. Are you not ashamed of yourself?
Oh dear, JT - you must be kidding. Confirming this particular Labour candidate integrity and values must be the own goal of the year :p;
Wasn't this the guy who claimed on his CV that he holds an MBA and later had to admit that he just started to study part time towards an MBA (and later broke up his studies?
https://yournz.org/2018/04/21/future...dates-profile/
What values? What integrity? But I am sure - one of Labours best people :p;
Yes, definitely a possibility Labour could regain Northcote. Not a huge number of votes between National and Labour and the gap should narrow if the coalition is seen to be doing well. A lot will depend on whether Labour's support parties stand against Labour there. eZ, would you see Labour doing an electorate deal or two in 2020?
Makes sense to me if support parties stand aside in exchange for a clear run elsewhere.
At least JT only called Bidoir a ‘salesman’ - could’ve have been worse and said a car salesman or worse still a seller of financial products.
But isnt that NZ Institute in some people’s eyes an evil organisation.
I listened and watched interviews with both candidates before forming my opinion , i suggest others do the same before reactive uninformed comments.